This policy ensures that all students and employees of Richmindale College comply with federal copyright laws by prohibiting unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of copyrighted materials.

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff at Richmindale College.

Richmindale College prohibits any employee or student from violating copyright laws.

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 copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of the copyrighted work without authority constitutes 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 as 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, Section 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 details, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at https://copyright.gov.