In addition to the technical risks, downloading cracked software is also a serious legal offense. Software piracy is a form of copyright infringement, and individuals and organizations found guilty of piracy can face significant fines and penalties. In the United States, for example, copyright infringement can result in fines of up to $150,000 per infringed work, while in some European countries, piracy can lead to imprisonment. Moreover, companies found guilty of software piracy may suffer reputational damage, loss of business, and even bankruptcy.