The website of SkyPan International features a slideshow of panoramic aerial photos taken over Chicago and New York City. But, gorgeous as they are, any of them taken by a drone may have cost the company a huge chunk of cash. The Federal Aviation Administration settled a lawsuit with SkyPan on Tuesday to the tune of $200,000 after alleging the company had used drones to snap aerial cityscape photos from 2012 through 2014 without governmental approval. The FAA claimed SkyPan -- a company that provides "aerial visual solutions" to a large list of clients in construction and real estate -- had broken the law both by flying a drone for commercial purposes, which was not allowed during those years, and by illegally flying a drone over a heavily populated area. On top of the $200,000 fine, "the company also agrees to pay an additional $150,000 if it violates Federal Aviation Regulations in the next year, and $150,000 more if it fails to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement," FAA officials wrote in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration may have loosened its regulations on drones last summer, but it's still cracking down on those who violate the rules. The administration issued its largest civil penalty ever Tuesday to drone company SkyPan International. The settlement agreement between the FAA and SkyPan will require the Chicago-based company to pay $200,000 for conducting 65 illegal drone flights in congested airspace over Chicago and New York City, the FAA said. Beyond the civil penalty, SkyPan agreed to pay an additional $150,000 if it violates FAA regulations in the next year, and $150,000 more if it fails to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement. Even with the looming threat of additional penalties, SkyPan managed to escape with considerably less of a penalty that was initially proposed by the FAA.