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Copyright Infringement
Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal
Copyright Laws
Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal
authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright
owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States
Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a
copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading
substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an
infringement. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal
penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement
may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed
at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For
“willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A
court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details,
see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright
infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of
up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more
information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at
Accreditation and Licensure
San Bernardino Valley College is fully accredited by the
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
(ACCJC). ACCJC is one of six regional institutional accrediting
bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education and the
U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the college is
accredited by the National League
for
Nursing Accreditation
Commission, Inc. (NLNAC) and is recognized by the California
State Board of Registered Nursing. For additional information
regarding the accreditation at San Bernardino Valley College you
may visit
Gainful Employment Programs
San Bernardino Valley College offers programs of study that meet
the Department of Education’s standards for Gainful Employment.
For more information on Gainful Employment programs offered at
San Bernardino Valley College please visit:
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