What is the penalty for copying someone’s work without permission?

What is the penalty for copying someone’s work without permission? 

It’s worthwhile for you to briefly consider potential consequences if someone took you to court. In the event you are sued for infringement, damages could range from $750 to even more than $30,000 per time that you “infringed” on the work of the publisher who is suing you. Moreover, if it can be proven that you “willfully” infringed on a copyright owner’s work (which is possible but unlikely), this could raise damages exponentially: “The court in its discretion may increase the award of statutory damages to a sum of not more than $150,000.”  [source]



If you have been accused of infringement and you would like to know if your use actually constituted infringement and if so, what your civil damages could be at trial, feel free to contact New Media Rights via our contact form to find out whether you qualify for free or reduced fee legal services. We also offer competitive full fee legal services on a selective basis. For more information on the services we provide click here.