A method is provided for identifying unauthorized use of copyrighted information. The method includes the processes of accessing a database of copyrighted information, accessing information used for searching the copyrighted information, optionally accessing contextual information concerning the copyrighted materials, accessing a set of materials suspect of infringing on the copyrighted information, receiving an input corresponding to the type of search to be conducted, and receiving a second input corresponding to a class of copyrighted information with respect to the search function. In addition, the method includes the processes of determining a result when data within the database of copyrighted information and a file of infringement suspects satisfies a predetermined set of logic, of determining a result when data within the database of copyrighted information and an input formatted text string satisfies a predetermined set of logic, and storing and presenting the results.