0Copyrighted Materials

Copyright infringement is the act of reproducing and/or distributing copyrighted material without permission of the copyright owner. The copyright owner has been granted exclusive rights under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). Infringement also includes file-sharing context, uploading or downloading substantial portions of copyrighted work. The use of copyrighted material without the copyright owners’ consent is illegal.

Copyrighted Liabilities

Copyright infringement penalties include both civil and criminal penalties. Anyone found liable of copyright infringement may be ordered to pay actual damages or “statutory” damages of not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per each work infringed. The court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed for “willful” infringement. The court may also, in its own discretion, assess other fee such as attorneys’ fees. See Title 17, United States Code, Section 504, 505, for more details.

Sanctions related to copyright infringement and liabilities for unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material:

• • • Criminal penalties for “willful copyright infringement” can result in, imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.
    • See the Web site of U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, for more information.
    • The Academy will expel students and terminate staff involved in unlawful use or distribution of copyrighted material.