Federal · Title 17 — Copyrights

17 U.S.C. § 1204: Criminal offenses and penalties

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

This statute establishes criminal penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment for a first offense and up to 10 years for subsequent offenses, with exemptions for certain nonprofit and educational entities.

Read the full statutory text

shall be fined not more than $500,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, for the first offense; and shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both, for any subsequent offense. Subsection (a) shall not apply to a nonprofit library, archives, educational institution, or public broadcasting entity (as defined under section 118(f)). No criminal proceeding shall be brought under this section unless such proceeding is commenced within 5 years after the cause of action arose.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.