Copyright Information

The Internet and Music - Important Copyright Information

Students and staff may have seen media reports of an increased vigilance on the part of the music industry to seek to control music piracy in universities. Students in the US have been sued, as have some universities, for copyright infringement arising from music piracy. Universities in the UK and Australia are also being targeted by record companies.

This is a timely reminder to students that under the 'Rules for Use of University of New England Computing and Communications Facilities', copyright infringement by students will be treated as student misconduct. The University provides students with access to computer systems and facilities for academic purposes. Students who are found to be using the University's systems to engage in conduct which infringes copyright - including uploading and downloading files without the permission of the owner of copyright - are exposing themselves and the University to legal action, and will be subject to disciplinary action.

The web is NOT a copyright-free zone. DO NOT assume that you are entitled to download everything you can access on the web. Some material may be on the web without the copyright owner's permission.

DO NOT assume that because you can locate a music file through sites such as Napster, Kazaa, Grokster or Gnutella that you can download, copy or transfer it, even for personal use.

DO NOT, without the permission of the owner of copyright:

• post music or other files to University websites
• transfer music or other files to friends and family via the university network (by email or file share)
• burn music or other files to CD's

DO NOT use University equipment or the computer networks to download, redistribute or copy unauthorised files.

A copy of the 'Rules for Use of University of New England Computing and Communications Facilities' is available in the UNE handbook, or from the ITD Service Desk.