Colleges and universities are now required by federal law to combat illegal downloading of copyrighted material.
A provision of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 states that colleges and universities must implement plans “to effectively combat the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material by users of the institution’s network.”
The provision went into effect July 1.
The university must develop and implement written plans and offer “alternatives to illegal downloading or peer-to-peer distribution of intellectual property,” the provision states. Colleges and universities that don’t comply could risk losing eligibility for federal student aid.
Further information about the provision and a UCA’s plans is available at http://www.uca.edu/legal/heoa_copyright.php.
The University of Central Arkansas’ Board of Trustees adopted its Computer Use Policy in 1999. The policy prohibits the use of university owned computers to engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials. Violation of the policy could lead to suspension or expulsion of students or the termination of employment of faculty and staff.
Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties.