Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

contributory infringement.

1. The act of participating in, or contributing to, the infringing acts of another person. ( For contributory infringement, the law imposes vicarious liability. 2. Patents. The act of aiding or abetting another person's patent infringement by knowingly selling a nonstaple item that has no substantial noninfringing use and is especially adapted for use in a patented combination or process. ( In the patent context, contributory infringement is statutorily defined in the Patent Act. 35 USCA § 271(c). 3. Copyright. The act of either (1) actively inducing, causing, or materially contributing to the infringing conduct of another person, or (2) providing the goods or means necessary to help another person infringe (as by making facilities available for an infringing performance). ( In the copyright context, contributory infringement is a common-law doctrine. 4. Trademarks. A manufacturer's or distributor's conduct in knowingly supplying, for resale, goods bearing an infringing mark.