Northwest Technical Institute

The Learning Resource Center provides a wide variety of services to the students, faculty, staff, and administration of NWTI. Both day and evening students are encouraged to utilize the Learning Resource Center to support their academic, technical, and personal development goals. The Learning Resource Center provides computer workstations, copying, faxing and laminating services for students.

NWTI Students have free access to Credo Reference, one of the world’s most powerful online reference databases. Use the search box below or go to Credo Reference Website  from any computer on NWTI’s campus. To access Credo Reference from your home PC or for additional information on how to use Credo Reference, please contact the NWTI Library Staff.

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 a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an 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 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 attorneys’ 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 website of the U.S. Copyright Office.