Information Technology Service Process for Handling of Alleged Violations of Digital Copyrights

Effective: August 2003
Author: Steve Moon, Authorized “Agent” per the
Digital Millennium Act

Respect for a person's work and personal expression is especially critical in a computer environment because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced. UNI will not condone actions that infringe copyrights or violate property rights, including those rights applicable to computer software or digital media (MP3 or MPEG files).   The sharing of copyright protected materials, unless you own the copyright, is a violation of Federal law and university policy covering the appropriate use of computer resources and copyright protected materials.

Upon receipt of a report of copyright sharing violation, Information Technology Services will:

1)    Respond to complainant that this matter will be investigated and dealt with appropriately. 

2)    Inform the System Administrator (owner) of the reported IP address, Network Administrator for that IP address, Administrative Supervisor or ResNet Hall Coordinator, and Computer Consulting Center that we have been informed of an alleged copyright violation and how this issue needs to be addressed.

3)    Restrict network access for reported IP address until action has been taken to resolve the alleged problem.

4)    When alleged violation has been resolved, and if applicable a signed Statement on Copyright Infringement and Computer Sharing has been received, the restriction on network access will be lifted.

5)    Repeated offense of Appropriate Use of Computing Resources or Copyright Infringement will result in disconnection of UNI-Net for 30 days, reporting of offense to university disciplinary process, and or other appropriate measures.

Below is a list or related policy and information:

UNI’s Policy on Use of Computing Resources

  http://www.uni.edu/pres/policies/954.shtml

UNI’s Policies on Intellectual Rights and Copyright

  http://www.uni.edu/pres/procedur/legal/42-a-1

  http://www.uni.edu/its/ad/policies/intellectualproperty.html

Digital Millennium Copyright Act resources

  http://www.educause.edu/issues/dmca.html

Statement on Copyright Infringement and Computer Sharing form

  http://access.uni.edu/forms/index.shtml#S