Ethical Practices
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, the University is bound by law to respond.
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.
What happens 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 may reach as much as $100,000.
More Information can be found on the Z.Smith Reynolds Library's copyright page.
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 or 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.
Read the full policy here.
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Responsible and Ethical Use of Computing Resources
The following are highlights of the University’s Policy on Responsible and Ethical Use of Computing Resources. This policy is available in its entirety at http://help.wfu.edu. The information presented in the highlights below should not be construed as all-inclusive. Consequently, all computer users should utilize the Student Handbook or visit http://help.wfu.edu and review all policies in detail. All users must comply fully with these policies.
Highlights
- University computing resources are for instructional and research use by the students, faculty, and staff of Wake Forest University.
- All ethical standards that apply to other University activities (WFU standards as well as local, state, and federal laws) apply equally to the use of computing resources. Abusive activities, cheating, stealing, making false or deceiving statements, disguising one’s identity through e-mail, plagiarism, vandalism, and harassment are violations of University codes of conduct and will not be tolerated nor will violations of copyright and intellectual property laws. All such activities will be prosecuted and discipline will be applied using procedures and authorities as outlined in the Honor Code, the Social Regulations and Policies, and Responsible and Ethical Use of Computing Policies. In addition, Information Systems staff may, at their discretion, deny system and network access to violators during the process of an investigation.
- All individuals, including members of the Information Systems staff, should respect the privacy of other authorized users. Thus all should respect the rights of other users to security of files, confidentiality of data, and ownership of their own work. Nonetheless, systems monitoring may occur during investigations. At such times, systems will be monitored in accordance with the Ethical Use of Computing Policy.
- Information Systems may, in consultation with the Committee on Information Technology, change or amend this policy from time to time. As with matters of law and ethics, ignorance of the rules does not excuse violations. Therefore, review policies periodically by visiting and reading policy pages at http://help.wfu.edu.
- To report problems or policy violations contact the Help Desk. Members of the Wake Forest University community have a responsibility, under University codes of conduct, to report suspected violations to Information Systems for immediate investigation.
Common Violations
- Sending harassing e-mail messages. Harassment is harassment, whether or not it’s done electronically.
- Misrepresenting your identity. Even if just for the sake of a practical joke or to help a friend or colleague, posing as someone else or intentionally hiding your identity is a violation of state laws.
- Sharing your computing user name and password with someone else. Your Wake Forest computing account provides access to powerful resources that others - even friends - might use for illegal activities. You are liable if you gave them access to your account.
- Downloading or exchanging copyrighted material such as media files (including MP3s and movie files). Plagiarism. The abundant resources available through the Internet make it possible to do considerable research online. Never use information from the Internet - whether direct quotes, paraphrases, or ideas - without citing the source appropriately. Don’t jeopardize your future at Wake Forest by attempting to pass off someone else’s work as your own.
More Information can be found on the Information Systems policy page.
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