What happens if I violate copyright law?

Violating copyright law can have serious consequences depending on the specific case. In California, if you violate copyright law, you may be liable for civil damages. This means a person or company whose copyright you infringed can sue you for monetary damages. The amount of the damages could be the amount that the copyright holder lost due to the infringement, or it could be the amount that the infringer made from the infringement. Additionally, criminal penalties may apply if you intentionally infringe on a copyright. This could include fines up to $150,000 and/or up to three years in prison. If a court finds that you willfully infringed on a copyright, the court may increase the damages to up to $250,000. In addition, if you infringe a copyright, the copyright holder may also be granted a court order to prevent you from continuing to infringe the copyright. This could include court-ordered payment of legal fees and costs that the copyright holder has incurred. The copyright holder can also demand that you stop using their copyrighted work and destroy any infringing works that you have created. The best way to avoid violating copyright law is to make sure you understand your rights and what constitutes copyright infringement. It is important to be aware of the copyright laws in your jurisdiction, as well as the applicable federal laws, before using any copyrighted material.

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What happens if I violate copyright law?

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