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What percentage of websites are sued for copyright violations every year and how can I protect my own website from such legal issues?

According to the US Copyright Office, copyright infringement cases have increased by 15% in the past 5 years, with the majority of cases involving online infringement.

In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that copyright holders can seek statutory damages up to $150,000 per infringement, making copyright lawsuits a costly affair.

The average age of copyright offenders is 43 years old, with 81% being male and 81% being US citizens, according to the USSC.

The median infringement amount in copyright cases is over $266,000, highlighting the severity of the issue.

43% of copyright offenders receive prison sentences, with an average term of 25 months.

Registering your work with the Copyright Office is essential to bring a civil lawsuit, as it provides legal proof of ownership and allows for statutory damages.

Assuming all works are protected by copyright or trademark law unless proven otherwise can help website owners avoid copyright lawsuits.

Using clip art, shareware, freeware, or materials labeled "royalty-free" or "copyright-free" can still lead to copyright infringement, and website owners should exercise caution.

If someone complains about unauthorized use on your website, removing the offending material immediately and investigating claims promptly can help mitigate legal issues.

The fair use exception in US copyright law allows for the use of copyrighted content without authorization from the copyright owner for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, and teaching.

A cease and desist letter is often the first step in enforcing a copyright, and website owners should take these letters seriously to avoid legal action.

Properly complying with a notice of claimed infringement and having a clear policy for handling copyright claims can help protect website owners from legal liability.

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