Consider this: The Recording Industry Association of America has been suing individuals with illegally downloaded material for a MINIMUM of $750 PER SONG. If the average teenager has 800 illegally downloaded songs on his iPod, that’s a penalty of $600,000, plus a $250,000 fine and five years jail time! Think it can’t happen to you? Think again.
As the music and film industries continually grow more interested in detecting and preventing illegal file sharing on college campuses, it becomes increasingly important for members of the University community to arm themselves with a basic understanding of both copyright laws and University policies. Please take some time to read through our copyright tutorial to ensure you are protecting yourself from both state and federal civil and criminal penalties, as well as University sanctions. Also, check out our list of legal downloading alternatives. There are tons of websites out there dedicated to providing you with today’s best new music—many of which are completely FREE.
Copyright Tutorial
What is a copyright?A copyright is a way for authors (writers, artists, musicians, poets, professors, etc.) to protect original work. Federal law grants each author exclusive rights to his or her work. Copyright laws can protect both published and unpublished works.
What types of information are copyrighted?
Many types of information are copyrighted: intellectual property, (which includes written text found in web pages, books, magazines, newspapers, etc.), movies, plays, musicals, songs, images, software, and even architecture are all copyrighted.
What is copyright infringement?
Only the copyright holder has the right to reproduce, adapt, distribute, display, and perform his or her copyrighted work. If you reproduce, adapt, distribute, display, or perform copyrighted material without permission (e.g. license), you have infringed upon the author’s copyright.
What are some examples of copyright infringement?
The following activities are examples copyright infringement:
• Downloading music and/or videos from free, unlicensed sources.
• Sharing music and/or video files from your computer without proper licensing.
• Making a copy of purchased software to share with a friend.
• Copying sentences or paragraphs from websites, books, magazines, professors’ handouts, etc. to use as your own.
Is copyright infringement breaking the law?
Yes. Copyright Infringement also violates the Student Code. The Student Code prohibits:
“Theft of or tampering with computer software or data files belonging to others. This shall include violations of copyright laws, trade secrets, and license agreements. When used with multiple computer systems, the proper number of copies of software and data files must be purchased/licensed.”
Use of the University network is governed not only by local, state, and federal law, but also by University policy. Misuse can lead to Student Code violations, as well as state and federal civil and criminal penalties.
Can the University protect me from a copyright complaint?
There is very little the University can do to protect you from a copyright complaint. The University cannot represent you in legal proceedings and will only turn your information over to the RIAA, MPAA, and other entities in order to comply with a subpoena.
Can I dispute a copyright complaint?
Yes. If your network access is revoked due to a purported copyright violation, and you feel the violation is inaccurate, you can dispute the violation. To do this, you will need to bring your OU ID to any of our IT Service Centers and fill out a Copyright Dispute form. Hours of operation are:
Felgar Hall, Room 300: 8 A.M.–5 P.M., Monday–Friday
Gould Hall, Room 264: 8 A.M.–5 P.M. Monday–Friday
Couch Residence Hall, Room W146: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Sarkeys Energy Center, Room 1026: 8 A.M.—5 P.M., Monday–Friday
University personnel will then begin the process of reviewing the violation for technical accuracy. If a technical error is found, reconnect fees will be waived for first time violations.
Downloading Consequences
What happens if the University receives a copyright complaint against me?The consequences for copyright complaints escalate with each violation.
First Violation:
• Infringing machine is blocked from the network.
• The user must accurately complete the copyright tutorial and quiz before network access is restored.
• $25 minimum reconnect fee will be assessed by Information Technology.
Second Violation:
• Infringing machine is blocked from the network.
• The user must accurately complete the copyright tutorial and quiz before network access is restored.
• Infringer is referred to the Office of Student Conduct for a Student Code violation.
• $50 minimum fee will be assessed by the Office of Student Conduct.
Third Violation:
• Infringing machine is blocked from the network.
• The user must accurately complete the copyright tutorial and quiz before network access is restored.
• Infringer is referred to the Office of Student Conduct for a Student Code violation.
• $200 minimum fee will be assessed by the Office of Student Conduct.
NetReg
Network Registration (NetReg) is the process by which desktop computers, laptop computers, or other devices requiring network connectivity are registered on the OU network. This process allows for easy detection in the event a computer is hacked, infected with a virus, or otherwise compromised. It also enables IT to better communicate with our users to quickly resolve any potential issues and help them get back on the network as soon as possible.Starting in October 2009, as part of our campus-wide copyright compliance initiative, all students receiving copyright violations on our housing and OUWiFi networks will complete a short copyright tutorial and quiz at the beginning of the NetReg process. Similarly, if any users in these areas receive a copyright violation, they will be temporarily blocked from the network and must complete the copyright tutorial and quiz before their access is restored.
In order to complete the self-registration process, you must have a valid OUNet ID (4+4) and password. If the device you want to register does not have a browser, please call the IT Help Desk at 325-HELP (4357) to complete manual registration.
Downloading Alternatives
There are several options for legally obtaining music. Some of these include:| • AmazonMP3 | • AOL Music |
| • Apple Itunes Music Store | • Artist Direct |
| • AudioCandy | • BearShare |
| • Best Buy | • BET |
| • Buy.com | • Catsmusic |
| • CD Baby | • Dimples Music |
| • Download Fundraiser | • Electric Fetus |
| • EMusic | • FYE |
| • Gallery of Sound | • imeem |
| • imesh | • Independent Record |
| • lala | • Latin Noise |
| • Lifeway | • Liquid Digital Media |
| • MP3.com | • Music Millennium |
| • Music Rebellion | • Myspace Music |
| • Napster | • Neurotic Media |
| • Pandora | • Pro-Music |
| • Qtrax | • Real Networks' Rhapsody |
| • Record and Tape Trader | • Spinner |
| • Top Hits Music | • Wal-Mart |
| • Windows Media | • Yahoo Music |
| • Zune |
Campus Downloading Video
For more information about copyright infringement , please visit Campus Downloading.
Copyright In the News
• Feds Support $1.92 Million RIAA File Sharing Verdict- August 14, 2009• RIAA: Boston University Grad to Pay $675,000- August 3, 2009
• Howell Verdict: RIAA Wins $40,850 P2P Judgment- September 1, 2008
Legal Freaks
The Legal Freaks play their music to rid the world of illegal music downloading. In their eyes, nothing is worse than a copyright violation, which is why the band gives alternatives to illegal music downloading. Come and see their setup as they make stops around campus this semester and learn how to listen to legal music. Click to get more information on when and where the Legal Freaks will be making their tour stops!FAQs
Q. Is the University’s copyright program a reference to people downloading songs and media without permission?A. Yes, this program is primarily targeted toward individuals downloading illegal movies and music using Peer to Peer file sharing applications. Unless you are using a file sharing application to share or download copyrighted materials, then you should be in compliance.
Q. When the University’s new Network Registration system goes live, will I need to complete registration to connect my personal laptop to the wireless network while on campus?
A. Yes. When using your personal laptop on campus, you'll want to select the OUWiFi network. OUWiFi will ask you to register prior using your OUNet ID and password prior to accessing the Internet. If you have trouble registering, you can simply call 325-HELP and manually register your computer. This will save you from having to make any changes on your end.
Q. When I moved into the OU Dorms, I purchased the upgraded version of Limewire for $35. Since I have paid for the copyrighted material, why are you prohibiting its use?
A. The $35 Limewire upgrade is a support fee for the enhanced version of Limewire, which is good for only a year. Unfortunately, this price does not license you to download or share copyrighted music through Limewire. The good news is that there really are some good legal alternatives out there: http://security.ou.edu/copyright_list.html#copyright_alternatives.
Q. Is there a legal download service provided by the University?
A. Not at this time. Unfortunately Ruckus closed its doors in late spring. Rather than promote a single service, we're suggesting students try out a number of different services. Check out the downloading alternatives listed here.
Q. I have heard that it is not illegal to download music, but that it is illegal to set your computer up to share it with others. Is this true?
A. Unfortunately that is not the case. If you download a copyrighted file from an unlicensed source, that is a violation of the owner's copyright.
Q. Are the new restrictions to be put in place on October 25 going to block Bit Torrent traffic?
A. Unfortunately the changes will restrict Bit Torrent traffic on the wireless network. This has more to do with network availability and performance than our legal requirements. However, Bit Torrent will remain available on all wired networks across campus.
Q. Is it legal to watch videos or listen to music on sites such as YouTube or Pandora?
A. Yes. Both of these are great examples of legal alternatives to downloading copyrighted music.
