The United States No Electronic Theft Act (NET Act), a federal law, provides for criminal prosecution of individuals who engage in copyright infringement, even when there is no monetary profit or commercial benefit from the infringement. Maximum penalties can be three years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
The NET Act amends the definition of "commercial advantage or private financial gain" to include such things as MP3 files and specified penalties of up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. Additionally the act allows individuals to be held civilly liable for statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work infringed or actual damages or lost profits (whichever is greater).
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