Copyright and the Internet

Policy on File Sharing of Electronic Media

UW-Eau Claire takes copyright issues seriously. We provide education and information to our users through direct e-mails, posters, information on web sites, training during Freshman Orientation, and information in the student and parent Orientation binders. We also offer free support for our students if their computers are compromised through a virus, exploit, or if a user wants assistance removing peer-2-peer software.

We will disable computer network access if a computer appears to be connecting to multiple other computers or exhibiting other properties that violate our network usage policy. When a port is disabled, the registered owner of that computer will be notified that the computer could potentially be compromised, and will be offered contact information to assist in cleaning/repairing the software on that computer. Once the problem has been rectified, the computer will be allowed back on the network.

When notifications of copyright violations are received from recognized groups, such as the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA), the registered owner of the computer will be notified. Access to the network will be removed for 14 days. After 14 days, if the offending material has been removed, the computer will be allowed back on the network.

A second violation will result in the computer being banned from the network for one month. After one month, if the offending material has been removed, the computer will be allowed back on the network.

A third violation will result in the computer being banned for a semester. In addition, the user will be required to meet with the Associate Dean of Student Development. Disciplinary action may be taken against the user at that time.