You may be unknowingly sharing files if you have file sharing software installed on your computer.
- Peer-to-peer software often installs spyware that reports on your computer usage, delivers advertising and other unsolicited files, or allows others to tap into your computer for personal and confidential information often without your knowledge.
- When you put music, movies, video games, or other software on your computer without a license or other permission, it's considered theft by copyright holders and federal courts.
When MSU receives Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaints from copyright holders, it is required by the DMCA to remove or disable access to the infringing material.
- Copyright holders and trade associations representing copyright holders scan the MSU network to identify the transfer of pirated files containing copyrighted materials.
- When outside organizations identify the IP address involved in the transfer, they send a DMCA takedown notice to the student's Internet service provider, in this case Michigan State University.
- To comply, MSU notifies students involved in DMCA complaints and disables network access to devices which held the IP address at the time of the infringement.
If you are caught sharing files illegally, then you may face the following consequences:
- Copyright infringers may face semester suspension, permanent loss of access to the MSU network, and probation for the remainder of their time at MSU.
- A first-level DMCA complaint the responsible individual will be notified via email.
- A second-level DMCA complaint involves a $50 processing fee and an appointment with the MSU DMCA Processing Office regarding the illegal file sharing activity.
- A third-level DMCA complaint involves a $100 processing fee and is passed along to MSU Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution through the Department of Student Life for disciplinary action. Network access remains blocked until the complaint is resolved with MSU Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
- Pirating copyrighted files is a felony with legal risks that can include injunctions, damages, court costs, and possible criminal sanctions in U.S. courts. (More information ia available from the United States Copyright Office.)
- Separate lawsuits may be files by copyright owners stemming from the original DMCA complaints. Lawsuits may be filed in civil or criminal U.S. courts and settlements can range from $3,000 to $35,000 in addition to attorney fees and court costs.
- Criminal penalties may also be brought against copyright infringers, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense based on decisions in U.S. courts.