Title 17 — CopyrightsRelease 119-73
§505 Remedies for infringement: Costs and attorney’s fees
Title 17 › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND REMEDIES › § 505
Summary
A judge in a civil lawsuit under this law can let one side get all court costs from the other side, but not from the United States or a U.S. officer. Unless the law says something different, the judge can also make the losing side pay a reasonable lawyer’s fee to the winner as part of those costs.
Full Legal Text
Title 17, §505
Copyrights — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In any civil action under this title, the court in its discretion may allow the recovery of full costs by or against any party other than the United States or an officer thereof. Except as otherwise provided by this title, the court may also award a reasonable attorney’s fee to the prevailing party as part of the costs.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
house report no. 94–1476
Under section 505 the awarding of costs and attorney’s fees are left to the court’s discretion, and the section also makes clear that neither costs nor attorney’s fees can be awarded to or against “the United States or an officer thereof.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
17 U.S.C. § 505
Title 17 — Copyrights
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73