Copyright Laws
Prohibition of the Unauthorized Electronic Distribution of Copyrighted Material
The University prohibits students from
using its computer systems and networks to violate copyright law.
Copyright owners have the right to control, within certain limits, how
their works are published, distributed, and sold, and the right to be
paid for the use of a work. Unless a student is the copyright holder
or has express permission to share someone else’s copyrighted works,
the distribution of copyrighted works to the Internet to share via a
peer-to-peer network is almost certainly violating another person’s
copyrights.
What is the unauthorized electronic
distribution of copyrighted materials and peer-to-peer file
sharing?
Peer-to-peer file sharing occurs when
individuals store files on their computers and enable their computers
as servers so that others may download the files. The University
strictly forbids peer-to-peer file sharing applications (e.g., Kazaa,
BearShare, Gnutella, LimeWire, BitTorrent, Morpheus) or any
application used to violate copyrights or any federal or state law.
Violations include copying or distributing copyrighted media such as
songs, movies, software, video games, text and pictures, without
authorization from the copyright owner.
Proper Use of University Networks and
Computers
The University’s networks and computers
may only be used for educational-related objectives of the University.
University networks and computers may not be used to operate file
sharing programs, including peer-to-peer file sharing applications for
the illegal downloading of copyrighted materials.
Use of file sharing applications can harm
student users and the University. A student who runs a file sharing
application may be inadvertently sharing personal information, such as
e-mail messages and credit card information. In addition, virus
writers often target file sharing applications. Finally, file sharing
programs may disrupt Internet access and performance of programs used
for academic work on University networks.
University Procedures to Prevent and
Remedy Distribution of Copyrighted Materials
All use of University networks and
computers, including e-mail accounts, may be monitored by the
University at any time without notice to identify and mitigate usage
in violation of federal copyright laws. Computers found to be engaging
in peer-to-peer activity on University networks will be automatically
blocked from accessing the network for 30 minutes.
The University has a multi-tiered approach
to using technology based deterrents to combat the unauthorized
distribution of copyrighted material by users of the Strayer network.
These deterrents are periodically reviewed against industry best
practices by Strayer’s IT Department, and enhancements are made as
determined appropriate.
The Strayer IT department will continuously monitor the effectiveness of the controls, review other institutions' practices to determine if there are different approaches worth exploring and regularly monitor the technological, social, and legal trends to make additional reasonable and appropriate measures if necessary.
Disciplinary Action and Legal
Penalties
Violation of this policy may result in an
immediate suspension or loss of computer or network privileges at the
University and will also subject a student to disciplinary action, up
to and including suspension and expulsion from the University. If
appropriate, violations may also be reported to local or federal law
enforcement agencies for prosecution.
Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted
material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may
subject copyright infringers to civil and criminal liabilities.
Infringers may be assessed civil damages from actual losses of
copyright owners caused by infringement and any additional profits of
the infringer due to the infringement. In cases of willful
infringement, the damage assessed can be up to $150,000 per infringed
work. Costs and attorney’s fees and injunctive relief may also be
awarded to a copyright owner. In addition, infringers may be subject
to criminal penalties, including imprisonment up to five years, and
forfeiture, destruction or other disposition of infringing copies.
Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material may implicate other
laws that protect intellectual property, such as the federal Lanham
Act or state laws regarding unfair competition and
misappropriation.
Legal Alternatives for Downloading or
Otherwise Acquiring Copyrighted Materials
There are many legal ways to download copyrighted materials. Unlike illegal file sharing, these services, as permitted by Strayer University policy, can be used to access materials like songs and movies without violating the law. Many online music services allow you to download individual songs or albums for a fee. Both the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) have web sites that list was to legally download copyrighted materials. Some of the more popular ways to download copyrighted material include:
Music
Movies and Television
Note Regarding Third Party Content:
The resources listed below and elsewhere on this website contain links to third party websites as a convenience in locating information and services for our users. The existence of these links is not to be construed as an endorsement by Strayer University of the content of any of these external sites, nor does Strayer University take any responsibility for the content, the accuracy of the information and/or the quality of products or services provided by or advertised on these third-party websites. Strayer University disclaims, to the fullest extent permissible by applicable law, any and all liability and responsibility for any claims or damage that may arise as a result the use of any websites maintained by third parties and linked to the Strayer University website. Any link to websites not controlled by Strayer University are not subject to Strayer University’s privacy notice, and users are advised to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites accessed through this site. Users should also contact the third party site owner for additional information or support for the products listed on those sites.