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.

For More Information

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

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.

Turnitin

• Turnitin is an Internet-based plagiarism
  detecting technology.
• Papers submitted through Turnitin are compared against each other as well as millions of other papers worldwide dating back to 1996.
• Turnitin can now be used through Blackboard.

• For more information about Turnitin visit
  www.wfu.edu/~boydmbet/Turnitin06.html