What happens if I violate copyright law?

If you violate copyright law in Delaware, you may face steep fines and even jail time. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, criminal copyright infringement is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If an individual willingly commits copyright infringement for financial gain, they may face an increased sentence of up to ten years in prison and a $500,000 fine. In addition to criminal charges, copyright infringement may lead to a civil lawsuit brought by the copyright holder. If the copyright holder can prove their claim, the infringer could be liable for actual damages such as lost profits or statutory damages up to $30,000 per infringement. The copyright holder can also seek an injunction to stop the infringement and award the costs of litigation. It is important to remember that copyright law applies to music, movies, books, and other forms of creative works. The best way to avoid trouble is to use the copyrighted material only if you have the owner’s permission, or if the work is considered “fair use” of the material.

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