Copyright

Copyright Policies and File Sharing

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

The University has recently received a large number of formal complaints regarding use of the University's network to download or upload copyrighted materials, including copyrighted videos, music, software and written material. The University is required to take these complaints very seriously, and to take steps to address any infringing activity. Failure to do so can potentially result in liability for the University itself. Additionally, any person using his or her University on-line access privileges to engage in the downloading, uploading, or other unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials is potentially at risk of becoming the target of a legal action for copyright infringement, in addition to any University imposed sanctions.

The Campus Housing copyright policy states "Residents shall not violate the legal protection provided by copyrights, licenses, or other legal means. They shall not make copies of any licensed or copyrighted computer program found on any Campus Housing or other UNLV computer or storage device. They shall not share with others: messages, information, or data that is private, licensed, proprietary, or covered by non-disclosure agreements." This includes but is not limited to video, music, software or any written material that you have not obtained permission to distribute.

When the University receives a complaint that implicates a student, sanctions may include immediate referral to UNLV Student Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action under the UNLV Student Code of Conduct. Disciplinary sanctions imposed can include a requirement that the infringing material be removed and not further distributed, termination of on-line access privileges, educational projects, probation or others. Additional complaints may result in even more serious sanctions.

If you are currently using software that allows you to download or share material over the internet, only items you have permission to share may be shared or the sharing function must be disabled. Anytime peer to peer software is installed or updated it needs to be checked to make sure sharing functions are disabled for items you do not have permission to distribute.

To comply with these rules, you must complete the following steps as appropriate:

  • Remove all copies of copyright protected files that you do not legally possess.
  • Deny access to other people for those copyright protected files that you legally possess but do not have the right or permission to distribute (i.e. make them available for downloading).
  • Disable file sharing access to your computer.
  • Remove file sharing programs from your computer.

If you downloaded a P2P program and now want to get rid of it:

Microsoft Windows:
If a program has an "uninstaller" you should try to use that first. Some applications install "spyware" that will cause your computer to not access the Internet if they are removed by Add/Remove. Otherwise, open the Control Panel, select Add/Remove software, locate the program to be removed, e.g. Napster, select that icon and click on "remove."

Apple:
Locate the folder for the program, drag it to the trashcan, and then select "Special | Empty Trash".

Linux:
Locate and delete the binaries and the source code, if available.

Please use your University on-line access privileges responsibly. Remember, copyright infringement is illegal and can result in serious civil and criminal sanctions, as well as serious University disciplinary sanctions.

For more information on these policies please consult the following websites: