What is copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when a person uses material that is protected by copyright law, without the permission of the copyright owner. This includes copying, distributing, displaying, performing, or making derivative works of the original copyrighted material. In Florida, copyright infringement is a violation of federal law, but it can also be a violation of state common law. Copyright infringement can result in civil or criminal penalties, such as fines or jail time. In Florida, perpetrators can be subject to statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, depending on the degree of damage caused. Florida also allows for the successful plaintiff to recover attorney’s fees and costs in addition to damages. Copyright infringement can also include using someone else’s work without making any changes, or by changing it (known as “derivative works”) only slightly. This type of infringement is known as “willful infringement.” It is important to ensure that any use of someone else’s work is done with permission. Companies that specialize in intellectual property law can help to determine the extent of protection for a certain work.

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