3 ms·

But when would you “unknowingly” violate copyright, when everything is under copyright by default?

• JohnFen 4y ago
  You could be ignorant of copyright law, someone could have provided the material to you and you weren't aware that they didn't hold the copyright, etc. There are numerous ways you can violate copyright without knowing it.
  • bazoom42 4y ago
    But ignorance of the law is not a defence. Given everything can be assumed to be under copyright, I don’t see how it can be a valid denfense that you “didnt know” something was under copyright.
    • Bjartr 4y ago
      You violate the law when you infringe regardless, but intent matters for determining the penalty for doing so. The law basically says that, specifically for infringing a copyright, doing so out of ignorance is less punishable. Ignorance isn't a general defense, but some laws do account for it on a case by case basis.