WMU > OIT > Rules & Policies

Revised: 6/2008

Digital Millennium Copyright Act Violations

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the procedures followed by Western Michigan University when complaints about violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act are received.

Scope

This policy applies to all users of Western Michigan University networks, whether the computer being used is a campus-owned computer or one that belongs to the user.

Policy Statement(s)

You may not use your Internet connection to share copyrighted materials (files, programs, songs, videos/movies, etc.). If you do so, you are in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Justification

When WMU receives DMCA complaints, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) preservation notices or RIAA pre-settlement, subpoenas, and/or settlement letters, they are taken seriously and acted upon accordingly. WMU does not release any information until/unless a valid subpoena is received.

Enforcement

When we (WMU) are informed by the copyright holder, we are required by Federal Law, to remove the copyrighted materials from the Internet. If we do not have control of the computer, the network access may be removed. Violation of a Federal Law is a violation of WMU's Student Code, Article IV, section B, sub-section 18.j.

With the first complaint, a letter is sent by the Office of Student Conduct and the offending material must be removed from the computer. Second and subsequent complaints have higher penalties. In addition, civil fines may be charged against the student by the copyright holder and disciplinary action as defined by current University policy may be applicable.

Reference

• File Sharing (Peer-to-Peer) FAQ
• File Sharing Safety Precautions