Sanctions

American University of Health Sciences will cooperate fully with any investigation by public authorities related to illegally downloaded copyrighted information. Students found guilty will be subject to the full extent of fines and penalties imposed, as well as facing automatic loss of American University of Health Sciences network access, and possible suspension.

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 at 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 attorney fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 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 information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at https://copyright.gov/ especially its FAQs at https://copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html.