Marshall University’s IT department, along with President Stephen J. Kopp, is keeping students informed about the dangers of illegal file sharing and copyright infringement.

President Kopp sent a campus-wide email to all students this month encouraging them to take advantage of the technology on campus, but also to become aware of the university’s policy regarding Internet piracy.

“Marshall’s IT platform and Internet connectivity is a privilege that comes with an obligatory responsibility to become informed and ensure the responsible, ethical and legal use of these resources,” Kopp said.

The email included a link to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which explains how the Federal law prohibits the distribution of copyrighted material over the Internet.

Jordae Baker, senior sports management and marketing major, said he takes file sharing very seriously.

“In the past, I used to transfer files illegally, but the consequences are not worth the trouble,” Baker said. “I now purchase all of my media files through Rhapsody, which requires a subscription and a monthly payment.”

Marshall offers the MU Copyright Education website, which shows many statistics on the costs of illegally downloading and sharing files.

Jan Fox, senior vice president for IT/CIO, said the focus to get students aware of copyright education can be found on the website.

“Many areas on campus share the responsibility of getting the word out on copyright violations and the ramifications,” Fox said.

Marshall has developed and implemented a program plan to successfully prevent the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material by users on the institution’s network.

The plan incorporates that the Marshall Office of IT compiles monthly statistics on DMCA infringement complaints and currently reviews them on a quarterly basis to identify trends in these notices.

Last year, a total of 150 issues were reported and was the lowest number of issues since 2007.

The Marshall University Office of Information Technology reminds all students that they are required to abide by the Marshall Acceptable Use Policy when using either the Marshall University network or personally owned equipment on the campus network.

The university is required to act on DMCA infringement notices in the event misuse of copyrighted material is detected by groups targeting illegal file sharing activity.

The DMCA can send notices out to student for illegal sharing all media types including music, videos, e-books, images, and computer software.

Notices on Marshall’s campus are sent via email to the individual responsible for the computer.

These notices require that the file sharing be stopped and that the infringement materials be removed from the computer.

Marshall will internally handle the incidents through the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Marshall Information Technology Council Procedure for Copyright Infringement Complaints.

Once the individual is informed, the Office of IT will suspend the individuals network until the matter is adjudicated.

Kopp said he encourages students the visit Marshall’s Copyright Education Website.

“This site contains answers to common questions about file sharing and will help you understand your rights and obligations regarding copyright in the digital millennium,” Baker said.

Eighteen issues of illegal file sharing and copyright infringement were reported on campus last month.

An update from February’s reports can be expected in early March.

Sarah Stiles can be contacted at stiles8@.marshall.edu.

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