Policy 90

University of Wisconsin-Parkside
File Sharing Policy
Policy #90

 

90.01 Scope

This policy applies to all UW-Parkside students and visitors.

90.02 Background

Downloading or distributing copyrighted material, including through peer-to-peer file sharing, without the permission of the copyright owner is against the law. Additionally, the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) has the following statements regarding copyright infringement:

(i) an annual disclosure that explicitly informs students that unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject the students to civil and criminal liabilities;

(ii) a summary of the penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws; and

(iii) a description of the institution's policies with respect to unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, including disciplinary actions that are taken against students who engage in unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using the institution's information technology system;

When registering a new device on the network users are informed of applicable policies including UW System Administration Policy 25-3: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources, Copyright Policy 76, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.

90.03 Copyright Violations

When valid notifications of copyright violations are received from recognized groups, including but not limited to the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA), the registered user will be notified and access to the network will be restricted as outlined in the related procedure.

In addition, the network user may be referred to the Dean of Students' Office for possible additional disciplinary action as permitted under UWS Chapter 17, Student Non-Academic Disciplinary Procedures.

90.04 Legal Alternatives

A list of legal alternatives for downloading online content is available through http://www.educause.edu/legalcontent.

90.05 Policy Review

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will coordinate an annual review of the policy. Members of the campus community can forward to the CIO suggested changes for review by February 1. Recommendations for changes will be provided by the CIO to the Chancellor's Cabinet for approval no later than March 1st.

 

*Revised: Spring 2015, Fall 2022