Top 3 ways to ensure compliance with the law
- Overview
- Top 3 ways to ensure compliance with the law
- How can I be identified as sharing files?
- File sharing - Frequently-asked questions
- Legal alternatives for online music & media
1. Do not install P2P file-sharing software on your computer
- By default, P2P applications will search for and share content on your computer with others. P2P applications usually run as soon as you turn on your computer and continue to run in the background. Even if you disable uploading, copyrighted content in a “shared” folder can be seen by others using the same P2P network and many P2P programs may reset preferences to resume uploading.
- Content owners use the same P2P software that file sharers do! Their aim is to catch file sharers sharing their protected content with others. If you’re running a P2P program, chances are that the content owner is running the same software. In fact, the person downloading a song from you may be working for the content owner and may be compiling evidence to sue you. It has happened to thousands of P2P users, and it can happen to you.
2. Do not use a University network for file sharing
- File sharers at universities are specifically targeted by the recording industry, movie studios, game, and software companies. University networks service fewer people than your local Internet service provider, so it is easier to locate you on a university network.
3. Always be sure to secure your wireless router in your dorm suite or home
- If you’ve registered your wireless router using your NetID, any activity that occurs on the router can be tracked back to you. This means that if your suitemate is sharing copyrighted works using the wireless connection that you set up in your dorm, you can be held personally responsible, and be sued by the content owner.
- If you use VPN connections from home, your home network becomes visible as part of the Yale network.
What are the consequences of sharing copyrighted materials?
Yale University regularly receives infringement notices. Most of the infringement notices that the University receives are ‘takedown’ notices. The University procedure for handling these notices is to forward the notice to the alleged infringers. If you are a recipient of a takedown notice, Yale requires that you certify that you have ceased any such infringing activity and that you will refrain from any such activities in the future. Also, you must sign a copy of the IT Appropriate Use Policy. If you receive multiple infringement notices, you may be referred to the Yale College Dean’s Office Executive Committee.
If you receive a copyright infringement notice or other correspondence from the University in connection with alleged infringing activity, please read the notice carefully and comply with University requests as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in having your network access disabled.
In addition to any action required by Yale, illegal file sharing may result in legal action by the content owners.
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