US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

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[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 17USC505]

 
                          TITLE 17--COPYRIGHTS
 
             CHAPTER 5--COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND REMEDIES
 
Sec. 505. Remedies for infringement: Costs and attorney's fees

    In any civil action under this title, the court in its discretion 
may allow the recovery of full costs by or against any party other than 
the United States or an officer thereof. Except as otherwise provided by 
this title, the court may also award a reasonable attorney's fee to the 
prevailing party as part of the costs.

(Pub. L. 94-553, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2586.)


                      Historical and Revision Notes

                        house report no. 94-1476

    Under section 505 the awarding of costs and attorney's fees are left 
to the court's discretion, and the section also makes clear that neither 
costs nor attorney's fees can be awarded to or against ``the United 
States or an officer thereof.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 109, 111, 115, 119, 122, 
411, 412, 510, 511, 1101 of this title.