The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringment is investigated by federal law enforcement agencies and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 Intellectual property rights theft is not a victimless crime. Because of piracy of media and other commercial goods, U.S. businesses lose millions of dollars each year, threatening American jobs and negatively impacting the economy. Not only can the violation of intellectual property rights damage the economy, it also poses serious health and safety risks to consumers, and often times, it fuels global organized crime. The FBI, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, has made investigating and preventing intellectual property theft a top priority within the Bureau. Violating these laws by reproducing or distributing copyrighted work, with or without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and punishable by fines and federal imprisonment. A new federal regulation regarding the FBI’s Anti-Piracy Warning (APW) Seal took effect several years ago—41 CFR Section 128-1.5009 authorizes use of the APW Seal by all U.S. copyright holders, subject to specific conditions of use. Copyrighted works can include, but are not limited to, films, audio recordings, electronic media, software, books, photographs, etc. The purpose of the APW Seal is to remind users of the serious consequences of pirating copyrighted works. The following is subject to copyright and shall not be copied without the expressed written consent of the creators.
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