What are the penalties for accessing copyrighted material without permission?

In California, the penalties for accessing copyrighted material without permission vary depending on the situation. Generally, accessing a copyrighted work without permission may be considered a copyright infringement, which is a federal crime. Criminal copyright infringement can result in fines of up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison for each instance of infringement. It is also possible to be sued for civil copyright infringement, which carries with it the risk of paying damages to the copyright holder. Depending on the severity of the infringement, you may have to pay the copyright holder for the difference between what you gained from the infringement and what you would have paid the copyright holder for a license to use the material legally. Additionally, the copyright holder may be able to recover attorney’s fees from the infringer. Finally, depending on what material was accessed and the infringer’s prior history, they may also be subject to criminal penalties or even injunctions or restraining orders that would bar the person from continued infringement. Overall, it is important to remember that accessing copyrighted material without permission can have serious consequences. If you are ever in doubt, it is best to get the copyright holder’s permission before using their material.

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What are the penalties for accessing copyrighted material without permission?

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