Piracy Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Piracy, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Piracy?

1\. It is crime commited at seas and oceans especially on the ships and boats, the trial of which takes places according to international rules and laws or as per the geographic nation where such crime was commited. 2) It also refers to illegal reproduction of materials which are patented or copyright

History and Meaning of Piracy

Piracy refers to acts of robbery or violence committed by individuals or groups at sea. The term piracy comes from the Latin word "pirata," which means "sea-robber." This illegal activity is not new, and it has been taking place on the high seas for centuries. In the past, pirates were seen as fearsome and romantic, but today they are considered criminals and are subject to international laws and conventions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Examples of Piracy

  1. Somali pirates hijacking a commercial vessel and holding its crew for ransom.
  2. The illegal copying and distribution of copyrighted movies and music.
  3. Modern-day piracy in Southeast Asia where pirates board ships to robbery the crew and take valuable goods.
  4. The use of pirate radio stations to broadcast without a license.
  5. The sale of counterfeit goods, such as knockoff designer handbags, that violate trademark laws.

Legal Terms Similar to Piracy

  1. Robbery - a criminal act of taking someone's property unlawfully by force or threat of force.
  2. Copyright infringement - unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
  3. Counterfeiting - the manufacturing or distributing of goods that are intended to deceive or defraud by copying or imitating an original with the intent to trick someone into buying what they believe is the authentic product.