Why are organizations afraid of copyright infringement?

Answer 1

I don't think they are necessarily afraid of it, but copyrighted material is the creative property of the person or organization who created it. Therefore, infringing on a copyright is stealing, just the same as if I walked into a convenience store and walked out with a Diet Coke, a package of M&Ms, and two packs of Marlboro Lights. In that case, Coca-Cola, M&M-Mars, and Philip Morris make no money from their product because I have taken it from them. It works the same way for copyrighted materials. May God bless and keep you.

Answer 2

The penalties are steep. Here's what the US Dept of Justice has to say:

"A defendant, convicted for the first time of violating 17 U.S.C. § 506(a) by the unauthorized reproduction or distribution, during any 180-day period, of at least 10 copies or phonorecords, or 1 or more copyrighted works, with a retail value of more than $2,500 can be imprisoned for up to 5 years and fined up to $250,000, or both.

Defendants who have previously been convicted of criminal copyright infringement under 18 U.S.C. § 2319(b)(1) may be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both."

There's more details available at the source link; see below.

The penalties associated with IP infringement are steep, to say the least. So there's the main reason for fear, in my opinion. It's really just not worth it.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Heavy penalties and consequences. Laws on copyright infringement varies across different countries.

But they carry the same message: you copy, you suffer.

So, be original. Buy the originals. (especially Micr0$0ft)

Answer 4

Its all about stealing ideas from or having ideas being stolen from an organization.