Illegal downloading, uploading or sharing of media is becoming such a huge problem for the entertainment industry that they have hired full time staff to monitor the activity in an effort to stop it. Peer-to-peer networks are often times used to illegally share music, videos, and images. Individuals engaged in the behavior assume several risks:
- Personal risks: compromising one’s computer by making it vulnerable to viruses and spam as well as being more susceptible to identity theft.
- Legal risks: risking lawsuits and criminal prosecution under Federal Law and the possibility of fines ranging from $200 to $150,000.
- Disciplinary risks: violating the Code of Student Conduct.
When students illegally download media using the PUC Network:
- Network Administrators are contacted by outside sources such as the Recording Industry Association of America or Fox.
- The Network Administrator then disables the student’s access to the PUC Network. Because copyright infringement is a direct violation of Section B-2a of the Regulations Governing Student Conduct, the information is then forwarded to the Office of the Dean of Students.
- The Office of the Dean of Students then notifies the student of a Disciplinary Hearing with a Student Conduct Administrator.
- If found responsible, the student is asked to sign a contract stating that he/she will remove the infringed material and discontinue all infringing activity.
- The student’s access will be enabled only after he/she has met with a Student Conduct Administrator. Second offenses could result in more stringent sanctions not only by the University but by the party reporting the infringement.
For more information regarding copyright infringement including a listing of legal websites from which to download music, TV, and movies go to www.campusdownloading.com.
Posted
on Monday, June 13th, 2011 at 11:45 am
