A copyright statute that permits an award of “full costs” does not include litigation-related expenses such as expert witness fees, jury consulting fees and e-discovery.

A unanimous Supreme Court led by Justice Brett Kavanaugh held that the phrase “full costs” in Section 505 of the Copyright Act means all of the costs specifically enumerated in the general cost shifting statutes, 28 USC Sections 1821 and 1920, such as transcripts and fees for court-appointed experts and interpreters.