ResNet
Copyright Violations
File-sharing applications such as BitTorrent and Morpheus make it easy to download or upload (serve) music, movies and video in digital format (MP3, AVI, etc.). In addition to their inherent security risks, their use raises an important issue regarding copyright law.
What is copyright?
Most musicians, film and/or record companies own the copyright to their material. Sharing copyrighted material (music, movies, videos, text, etc.) is illegal unless you own the copyright. A file of a copyrighted work becomes illegal when it is freely distributed (or sold) without the permission of the copyright owner. There are some film companies and musicians who give away their material and some allow their material to be distributed freely, but this is not the case for the majority of items that are currently distributed on the Internet.
Providing or obtaining copyrighted files (music, movies, videos, text, etc.) without permission violates the U.S. Copyright Act. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires UMD to take action against anyone illegally distributing copyrighted materials.
Actions taken if you violate copyright law
The University of Minnesota Duluth takes a strong stand against unlawful distribution of copyrighted music, movies and software. While we do not actively search for such materials, we do respond to copyright infringment notices from copyright owners who do actively search for such materials on the network.
If an individual is found to be distributing copyrighted material using any university computing resources, disciplinary action will be taken as outlined under the ResNet Terms and Conditions.
By taking these actions we are complying with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Individuals who violate copyright laws also risk having lawsuits brought against them. Copyright infringement can result in piracy convictions, fines, or prison sentences.
Related University policies
- University of Minnesota Duluth Policy on Fair Use of Copyrighted Works for Education and Research
- Student Conduct Code
- ITSS Policy on the Appropriate Use of Information Technology
- University Network Management Guidelines