Rule 14 is a rule of Part 2 (and not specifically excluded from 44.1(b))

Boat can take a penalty as per 44.2, if the damage is not  serious, apparently,  but, after the race, she should verify the extend of the damage (on herself and on the other boat) and, in case, retire after finishing.There might also be an injury, not evident at the time of the incident.

It just seems a little unfair that you can cause Damage and only take a minor Penalty, often reduced to ONE tack and one gybe.  
The ethos of R14 is no contact. 

43.1(b) does not apply to Rule 14.

43.1(c) applies to incidents involving Rule 14. One cannot be can exonerated for breaking Rule 14 if the breech causes damage or injury.

Rule 14 does not mention Serious Damage.

.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
SPORTSMANSHIP AND THE RULES

Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that
they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of
sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated
she will promptly take an appropriate penalty or action,

Absolutely spot on Jerry T.  
43.1(c) states that a boat must take a penalty if she breaks 14 and there is damage.  
44.1(b) allows the boat to take a penalty so long as there is not serious damage or if, after taking a penalty, she has gained a significant advantage.

To Mike Forbes, one should consider that the give way boat or boat required to give room is not without fault in the incident.

43.1(c) states that a boat must take a penalty if she breaks 14 and there is damage.  

43.1(c)
A right-of-way boat,
or one sailing within the room or markroom to which she is entitled,
is exonerated for breaking rule 14
if the contact does not cause damage or injury.

.......so if cause damage, must RET

Catalan,  a ROW boat is exonerated if she breaks 14 and there is no damage.  In that case,  she does not have to take a penalty.  If there is damage as a result of her infringing 14, she will have to take a penalty, which may be (but not necessarily) to retire.
If her infringement causes damage, she does not have to retire.  If her infringement causes serious damage, she has to retire.

Thanks for all that. 

a)
"serious damage"

The rules only talk about "demage" and i think that it must be in function with the PERFORMANCE of the boat.

b)
I can see this from Case 26

"A right-of-way boat need not act to avoid a collision until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear. 

So if there is contact, wold a give way boat take one penalty for 2 fouls?  ….  Eg a port tack boat contacting a stbd tack boat (10/14). 

Mike re: 2 fouls.

Yes, if it is one “incident”.  44.1 is stated, “one or more rules of part 2 in an incident….”

Multiple rule breaches can happen in one incident.

You were also on a good tack there when u starting thinking about the keep clear boat.

Think about a “love tap” between boats gone a little wrong.  Boats touch a little harder than anticipated and a little piece of gel coat pops off or a modestly bent stanchion. This often occurs between 2 boats who both qualify for 43.1(c) … a ROW boat vs a room-entitled boat. 

You could come up with scenarios where both boats need to do turns for unexonerated 14 breaches. 

 Catalan, 

44.1 Taking a Penalty
A boat may take a Two-Turns Penalty when she may have broken one
or more rules of Part 2 in an incident while racing....
However,...
(b) if the boat caused injury or serious damage or, despite taking a
penalty, gained a significant advantage in the race or series by
her breach her penalty shall be to retire.

As Angelo says, a small chip of gelcoat or a bent stanchion is damage, but not such that the performance of the boat is affected.  The ROW boat has to take a penalty, but her penalty would not have to be to retire.

Murray

So cool !!!!!
THANKS YOU SO MUCH !!!