Copyright infringement ( or copyright violation ) is the use of material which is covered by copyright law , in a way that violates one of the original copyright owner 's exclusive rights , such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work , or to make derivative works that build upon it . Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright , infringing the copyright holder 's exclusive rights , such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work , or to make derivative works .