Unauthorized Electronic Distribution of Copyrighted Materials

What is the unauthorized electronic distribution of copyrighted materials and peer-to-peer file sharing?

The University prohibits students from using its computer systems and networks to violate copyright law. Copyright owners have the right to control, within certain limits, how their works are published, distributed, and sold, and the right to be paid for the use of a work. Unless a student is the copyright holder or has express permission to share someone else’s copyrighted works, the distribution of copyrighted works to the Internet to share via a peer-to-peer network is almost certainly violating another person’s copyrights.

Peer-to-peer file sharing occurs when individuals store files on their computers and enable their computers as servers so that others may download the files. The University strictly forbids peer-to-peer file sharing applications or any application used to violate copyrights or any federal or state law. Violations include copying or distributing copyrighted media such as songs, movies, software, video games, text and pictures, without authorization from the copyright owner.