NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS REGARDING INTERNET COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT NOTICES
November 1, 2007
File-share software that copies and distributes songs, videos, games and software without permission of the owner can create both criminal and civil liability for the user of the computer performing those functions. Content owners, such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and Home Box Office (HBO), use technological means to track file sharing of their intellectual property on the Internet. Recently, content owners have also pursued more aggressive legal strategies such as "pre-settlement letters" or copyright infringement cases in federal court, as is their right under the law.
Cornell University regularly receives infringement notices. As a matter of policy, the University responds by referring the case to the Office of Judicial Administration (JA) as a potential violation of the Code of Conduct. Beginning this year, in an effort to shift the focus from discipline to education, first time recipients of infringement notices will be required to take an on-line Copyright Education Course. No disciplinary notation will be added to a student's file if it is his/her first time to the JA, but the JA will retain records of the original notice and course completion for use in the event of subsequent Code violations (whether or not related to copyright).
Please note that file share software scans your computer system's hard drive and distributes files automatically. Whether or not you have legally downloaded data, you are still responsible for activities of your computer on the Cornell network. Also, the intranet file share system DC++ is NOT a legal alternative for the distribution of copyright material. Ruckus is the ONLY university sanctioned legal music downloading service, and information about that service may be found at: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/servicelist/video/ruckus.html
Any questions about this notice or digital copyright may be directed to it-policies@cornell.edu.
| Tracy Mitrano Director of IT Policy |
Kent Hubbell Dean of Students |
Mary Beth Grant Judicial Administrator |