What is Copyright?

• Federal laws govern the right to reproduce, publish, and sell original materials.
• Copyrighted materials include all photos, music, movies, software, books, online essays, art work, graphics, and other forms of media.
• Unless indicated otherwise, assume any work of this kind is protected under copyright law.
• If you didn’t create it, you can’t use it without getting permission and/or citing your source.

You CAN . . .

• Make a personal copy of songs or a CD you own to listen to in your car or on a personal audio device.
• Use media and images found on the web or elsewhere that specifically say “public domain” or “copyright free” - otherwise, assume they are copyrighted and off-limits.
• Download songs from for-fee services such as iTunes, Ctrax or Ruckus.

You CAN’T. . .

• Download copyrighted media from the Internet (even if you own the DVD or CD that contains the same content).
• Share or swap copyrighted media (even if you own it). This includes making CDs for friends.
• Use University equipment (including ThinkPads) to make illegal copies of media, to share copyrighted media or to download illegal media.

Where does WFU come in?

External agencies are constantly monitoring illegal file-sharing activity. Violations are reported to WFU and law enforcement agencies. When WFU receives a notice that a user on our network is sharing files illegally, it is bound by law to respond. Here’s what happens.

When WFU investigates

• Access to the university network is disabled.
  
• The music/media files are deleted from the computer.
• The Dean’s office is notified.
• You may be required to perform community service and/or be cited for an Honor Code violation.

When other agencies get involved

• You may incur fines, fees, damages, and possible imprisonment.
• Maximum penalties per incident are five years in prison and $250,000 per individual.
• Statutory damages are usually not less than $500 or more than $20,000, but if theft is proved willful, as much as $100,000.

Don't get in trouble for copyright or plagiarism violations!

What is Plagiarism?

• Plagiarism occurs when you use someone else’s ideas and pass them off as your own.
• It can occur when you quote from a book or an article and fail to give your source.
• It can occur when you copy and paste from the Internet
  directly into a paper and do not indicate the source of your information.
• It can occur when you paraphrase someone else and fail to give them credit for the ideas.

Why is Plagiarism Bad?

• Plagiarism is theft. It is the theft of someone’s ideas, their intellectual property.
• Plagiarism is lying. When you turn in someone else’s ideas and claim them as your own, you are lying to your professor.
• Plagiarism is a violation of the Wake Forest University Honor Code.

How Do I Avoid Plagiarizing?

• Always provide the source of any material that is not your own. This includes web sites, journal articles, books,
  newspapers, etc.
• NEVER turn in a paper downloaded from the Internet as your own.
• If you are in doubt about whether or not to cite material, ask. Your professor or a librarian in the Reference department of the ZSR Library can help you decide.

For More Information

• www.wfu.edu/technology/policies/
• www.wfu.edu/Library/copyright