That's one of the places that "have to defend or lose your rights" bit comes from, but it isn't the big one.
The big one comes from a _very_ old bit of the law regarding torts in every English descended system, (old as in predates the US): The principal of acceptance, that is if you are aware of a continuing tort, (such as a copyright infringement), and do nothing about it for some time, (which varies by jurisdiction, where I sit it is two years), then you have granted permission for that particular infringement.
Note that you both have to be aware _and_ you have to do nothing at all to try and stop it, (the classic example is that the old coot yelling "getoffamylawn" has done enough). Also note that it only applies to the person or group that has been doing it.
Thus it is possible for you to lose the right to stop someone from infringing on your copyright, provided you don't care enough to even dash off a 30-second email.
no subject
The big one comes from a _very_ old bit of the law regarding torts in every English descended system, (old as in predates the US): The principal of acceptance, that is if you are aware of a continuing tort, (such as a copyright infringement), and do nothing about it for some time, (which varies by jurisdiction, where I sit it is two years), then you have granted permission for that particular infringement.
Note that you both have to be aware _and_ you have to do nothing at all to try and stop it, (the classic example is that the old coot yelling "getoffamylawn" has done enough). Also note that it only applies to the person or group that has been doing it.
Thus it is possible for you to lose the right to stop someone from infringing on your copyright, provided you don't care enough to even dash off a 30-second email.