What is the punishment for using copyrighted software and reaping financial gain from it? Not selling the software itself, but things like Graphic Design and Web Design?
by 
Ender
ANSWERS: 4
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Normally the company will sue you, I don't think you will ever get any jail time (though there is a possibility) In the end its easier to just pay the couple hundred for commercial use.
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This is a criminal offense and can leave you open to civil liability. For the criminal matter you can be fined and imprisoned for a maximum of 5 years. If you are sued civilly, the copyright owner is entitled to actual damages, or statutory damages ranging from a minimum of $750 to a maximum of $3000 per copy. In addition, the copyright owner is entitled to attorney's fees.
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Basically, if you have illegally acquired the software, you have some problems. If you have purchased the software, whatever the product you create from that software is YOUR intellectual property right. If you don't have a legally licensed version of the software you may be subject to prosecution, as well as other fines associated with being audited (the government CAN do this) if this is associated with a business.
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It's not where you take things from, it's where you take them to.
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