non-infringement
Definition
Non-infringement means that a product, service, or activity does not violate someone else's intellectual property rights, such as their patent, copyright, trademark, or trade secret. When someone claims non-infringement, they are saying that what they are doing is legally distinct enough from the protected work that they are not breaking any rules.
Example
If you design a logo for your bakery and a competitor accuses you of copying their trademarked design, you might argue non-infringement by showing that your logo looks different enough that customers would never confuse the two businesses.
Watch Out
Just because you changed something slightly from an original protected work does not automatically mean you are safe from an infringement claim, so always consult an attorney before using creative work that resembles something already owned by another business.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.