Title 17, CopyrightsRelease 119-110
§1204 Criminal Offenses and Penalties
Title 17 › CHAPTER 12 — COPYRIGHT PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS › § 1204
Summary
Knowingly breaking sections 1201 or 1202 to make money or get a business advantage can lead to criminal penalties. A first offense can bring up to a $500,000 fine or 5 years in prison (or both); repeat offenses can bring up to a $1,000,000 fine or 10 years (or both). Nonprofit libraries, archives, educational institutions, and public broadcasting entities (see section 118(f)) are excluded. Prosecutors must start charges within 5 years of the offense.
Full Legal Text
Title 17, §1204
Copyrights, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In General.—
Any person who violates section 1201 or 1202 willfully and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain— (1)
(2)shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both, for any subsequent offense.
(b)Limitation for Nonprofit Library, Archives, Educational Institution, or Public Broadcasting Entity.—
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a nonprofit library, archives, educational institution, or public broadcasting entity (as defined under section 118(f)).
(c)Statute of Limitations.—
No criminal proceeding shall be brought under this section unless such proceeding is commenced within 5 years after the cause of action arose.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–295 substituted “118(f)” for “118(g)”. 1999—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–113 amended heading and text of subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Subsection (a) shall not apply to a nonprofit library, archives, or educational institution.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
17 U.S.C. § 1204
Title 17, Copyrights
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110