Digital Copyright Issues on MIT Network
On this page:
Overview
MIT Policies and Guidelines
Copyright Law
Learn More
Overview
Do you want to use a digital image or a song but aren't sure if it is copyright protected? Do you use peer-to-peer software and are concerned with sharing copyrighted files? Have you ever received a Takedown Notification telling you to remove copyrighted files from the network because of alleged infringement under the DMCA? If you have these or similar issues concerning digital copyright, search these pages. Find out about digital copyright and file sharing, DMCA notification procedures at MIT, and what you should do to remain in compliance with copyright laws.
MIT's Acceptable Use Policy, including the MITnet Rules of Use, require that members of the MIT community not share copyrighted material over the campus network in any way without prior copyright holder authorization. Sharing over the network includes web pages, peer-to-peer file sharing software, email, etc. Please be sure that you have rights or authorization from the copyright holder for any material you make available or share over the campus network.
This network policy derives from MIT Policy, which in turn implements the requirements of U.S. Copyright Law (see the MIT Policies and Copyright Law resources below). MIT remains committed to complying with all copyright laws to the fullest extent possible, and complying with all associated legal responsibilities in this regard.
MIT's Statement on Unauthorized Sharing of Copyrighted Materials
In 2007, the RIAA stepped up its actions against illegal file sharing within universities, including MIT. Although MIT had copyright guidelines in policy form and in our AUP for years, the senior administration wanted to further clarify, educate and communicate MIT's position on unauthorized sharing of content via MIT's network. This statement remains in effect until it is superceded:
September, 2007
As the fall semester at MIT is in full swing, it is important to remind everyone about the serious consequences of unauthorized downloading and sharing of copyrighted materials.
Unauthorized downloading and sharing of copyrighted files is illegal, contrary to MIT policy, and a serious matter with potentially damaging consequences. MIT strongly discourages such unauthorized downloading and sharing of computer files (web.mit.edu/copyright).
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has notified MIT and other universities of its intention to continue to sue students for infringing their members' copyrights.
In addition to the RIAA, many other content owners, including the Motion Picture Association of America, send takedown notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) for videos, movies, games, and software. Takedown notices ask to remove or disable access to infringing files from the Internet. Students who do infringe copyright should reconsider that activity in light of the pervasive monitoring of file sharing that content owners do on the Internet.
Larry Benedict
Dean for Student LifeJerrold M. Grochow
Vice President for Information Services & Technology
To learn more about MIT's position on unauthorized file sharing, the infringement notifications process, and which protocols MIT follows, see:
MIT Policies and Guidelines
- MIT Policies
Policy 13.5 Reproduction of Copyrighted Material from the Information Policies. - MITnet's Copyrighted Materials Rule (#4)
From Athena Rules of Use (including MITnet) - MIT Libraries: Copyright Policies and Procedures
Includes Copyright Information for MIT faculty mounting course material on the web, Managing your Copyrights for MIT faculty submitting their own work for publication, and Copyright Amendment Form for authors to retain their rights when assigning copyright to a publisher.
Copyright Law
- Digital Millennium Copyright Act (October 1998)
Full text of the Act located on file with the Library of Congress - No Electronic Theft Act (LaMacchia Bill)
Full text of the Act located on file with the Library of Congress - Copyright Act of 1976, as Amended (1994)
Located on file with the Cornell University Law School
Learn More About Copyright and File Sharing
- Using p2p Software Safely
A Lime Wire guide to using their software and protecting copyright law. - Crash Course in Copyright (University of Texas)
Want to use an image or a song? Start here for a crash course in copyright. - Copyright Information from U.S. Copyright Office
One of the largest resources on EVERYTHING related to copyright from the U.S. Copyright Office.
- Stanford Libraries Copyright and Fair Use
A copyright resource list collected by Stanford University. - Campus Downloading
How to protect yourself when downloading. - Music United and What's the Download?
What the music industry says about copyright infringement.
- How the RIAA Litigation Process Works
Written by copyright attorney Ray Beckerman.
- Electronic Frontier Foundation
An organization that defends free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights in the electronic age.
In response to the number of copyright infringement notices sent to the University of Chicago, in 2007 the school put together both a clearly worded policy and a set of instructions for disabling file sharing in peer-to-peer applications:
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