The University of Vermont is devoted to creating, discovering, and sharing knowledge and information. UVM is also committed to taking reasonable steps to avoid misuse of its computer network, including use of the computer network to violate the Copyright Law of the United States. All students, faculty, and staff should have a basic understanding of the Copyright Law. To assist the University community in the proper use of the campus computer network, a copyright and fair use guide is available, and the Computer and Network Use Policy has been posted on the University's web site.
Recently, there has been growing concern about the use of campus
computer networks to reproduce and distribute commercial copyrighted
music, movies, and software. In spite of court rulings holding that it
is illegal, some people have continued to engage in
so-called peer-to-peer (“P2P”) sharing of commercial copyrighted
products, using software programs such as Morpheus, Limewire, Grokster, and
KaZaA.
This activity is unlawful.
In April, 2003, the Recording
Industry Association of America filed civil suits against students at
Michigan Tech, Princeton University, and Rennselaer Polytechnic
Institute, seeking substantial damages for copyright infringement.
Those cases were quickly settled, with each of the student defendants
agreeing to pay more than $12,000 in damages. Hundreds of suits
have
been filed since then, and many people, including university students,
have paid thousands of dollars in settlements to the RIAA. There
is increasing
pressure on universities to take action against copyright violations,
especially those attributable to P2P.
Fears of lawsuits aside, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing software is
increasingly causing serious problems for users.
The most common effects are inability to go to desired Web sites,
unwanted pop-ups, and a very slow computer. Simply removing the
sharing software is usually not enough to cure the problems; Spybot and
similar tools are often needed to cleanse computers of the "spyware"
secretly installed by P2P programs. Solving P2P-related problems
is consuming inordinate technical support time -- a sad waste of
University funds and resources -- not to mention the losses
suffered by computer owners. For more information on spyware, see
the April,
2003 IT Newsletter.
This Web site answers some frequently asked questions about the application of the Copyright Law to peer-to-peer file sharing.
Are peer-to-peer file-sharing systems illegal?
What kinds of activities are probable violations of the Copyright Law?
What does UVM policy say about copyright infringement?
How could I get caught if I violate Copyright Law or UVM policy?
What will happen if I get caught?
But if everyone breaks the rules, how can you punish just one person?
How can I obtain MP3s and other digital files legally?
How
can I get more information if I still have questions about copyright?
Last modified October 27 2009 01:34 PM
