Copyright Infringement Policies

The increased use of file sharing (peer-to-peer) software programs such as KaZaA, Gnutella, LimeWire, Bit Torrent and others has led to a significant increase in anti-piracy efforts and legislation. Peer-to-peer programs allow sharing of copyrighted music, movies, and software, often without the knowledge or consent of the user.

Students, faculty, and staff are prohibited from using the University’s network to illegally share copyrighted materials.

Recent legislation including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the No Electronic Theft Act ("NET Act") in conjunction with automated scanning software employed by software publishers and music and movie production companies has led to a significant increase in copyright infringement complaints received by the University. Students, faculty, and staff can be subject to criminal penalties including fines up to $150,000 for each file that is downloaded.

Beginning, Fall 2007, all copyright infringement complaints the University receives from copyright holders (RIAA, MPAA, BSA, etc) will be processed through the Pitt-Johnstown Student Judicial Board. To go along with this, there will be a three-tiered escalating sanctions policy. The level of sanction is directly related to the number of times a student is charged with infringing activities.

• First Offense
• The student’s ResNet port is shut off until a Judicial Board meeting is held.
• The student must remove/delete the file(s) involved as well as the file sharing program used to commit the infringement.
• An Educational task to be determined by the Judicial Board must be completed.
• A Disciplinary Warning of one semester’s duration is entered into the student’s University record
• There will be a $20 fee paid to the Business Office to have the ResNet connection turned on again.
• Second Offense
• The student’s ResNet port is shut off until a Judicial Board meeting is held.
• The student’s ResNet port will remain off for 30 days following the Judicial Board meeting.
• The student must remove/delete the file(s) involved as well as the file sharing program used to commit the infringement.
• The student will be placed on Disciplinary Reprimand for one calendar year.
• There will be a $50 fine.
• There will be a $20 fee paid to the Business Office to have the ResNet connection turned on again.
• Third Offense
• The student’s ResNet port is shut off until a Judicial Board meeting is held.
• The student’s ResNet port will remain off for the remainder of the academic year (minimum 30 days).
• The student must remove/delete the file(s) involved as well as the file sharing program used to commit the infringement.
• The student will be placed on Disciplinary Probation for one calendar year.
• There will be a $100 fine.
• There will be a $20 fee paid to the Business Office to have the ResNet connection turned on again.

 What exactly are Disciplinary Warning, Discipinary Reprimand and Disciplinary Probation?  

Definitions for these sanctions, and a copy of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedures, can be viewed at http://www.upj.pitt.edu/20003.pdf