§ 1204. — Criminal offenses and penalties.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 17USC1204]
TITLE 17--COPYRIGHTS
CHAPTER 12--COPYRIGHT PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Sec. 1204. Criminal offenses and penalties
(a) In General.--Any person who violates section 1201 or 1202
willfully and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial
gain--
(1) shall be fined not more than $500,000 or imprisoned for not
more than 5 years, or both, for the first offense; and
(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(g).
(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.
(Added Pub. L. 105-304, title I, Sec. 103(a), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat.
2876; amended Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) [title V,
Sec. 5004(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-593.)
Amendments
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.''