Copyright infringement occurs, for example, when someone uses, copies or modifies a copyrighted work
without the consent of the copyright owner. In Bulgaria, copyright infringement may lead to civil, criminal or administrative (for minor offences) liability. In cases of civil liability, the court may order the infringer to pay compensation to the rights holder, order that the illegal use be stopped, or prohibit the activity that constitutes illegal use, order the seizure and destruction of unlawfully produced copies of the protected works, including negatives, master copies, printing forms and others used for copying purposes, etc. Fault is presumed in civil litigation but this presumption can be refuted. If a copyright infringement constitutes a criminal offence under Article 172a of the Bulgarian Criminal Code, the court will examine the criminal intent of the offender. The sanctions are imprisonment and fines. In cases of misdemeanour, intent is also presumed. The sanctions are fines and pecuniary sanctions. Upon completion of criminal and administrative proceedings, the infringing items are forfeited and destroyed.