What is the punishment for downloading music and movies illegally?

Under current law, downloading copyright-infringing digital material is a federal felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while streaming the same movie, TV show, or music file is merely a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Is it a felony to illegally download music?

While individuals who download songs illegally for personal use are exposing themselves to a civil lawsuit, repeat offenders and willful violators are typically subject to criminal prosecutions. In those cases, piracy is certainly a felony.

Can you go to jail for downloading songs?

Up to five years in jail. Fines and charges of up to $150,000 per file. In addition to any other charges, the copyright holder can file a lawsuit again you. That can result in legal fees and obligations to pay legal damages.

What are the legal penalties for copyright infringement?

The legal penalties for copyright infringement are: Infringer pays the actual dollar amount of damages and profits. The law provides a range from $200 to $150,000 for each work infringed. Infringer pays for all attorneys fees and court costs. The Court can issue an injunction to stop the infringing acts. The Court can impound the illegal works.

Is it illegal to download copyrighted material on the Internet?

But downloading or sharing copyrighted material is illegal under federal law. If tagged with such a copyright violation, you could lose your Internet service and even face a copyright infringement lawsuit by the holder of the copyrighted material which you downloaded or streamed. (Unofficial streaming services online also may be illegal.)

What are the penalties for unlawful music downloading?

Under federal copyright law, the damages that you may owe can range from $750 to $30,000 per work. So if you illegally download, say, 10 songs — doesn’t seem that offensive, right? Think again, because the penalty for that can be as much as $300,000.

Are songs and movies protected by copyright?

Songs and movies, therefore, definitely fall within the category of works protected by copyright. Copyright infringement occurs when the works are reproduced, republished, or used without permission from the copyright holder. This is where illegal downloading kicks in.