Procedure for handling copyright complaints

We receive complaints from copyright holders (such as record labels, movie studios, and software publishers) that their copyrighted material is reproduced by a network user without permission through the use of peer-to-peer filesharing networks. This is illegal and against University regulations. Such complaints are treated seriously to protect the legal standing and reputation of the University. This procedure is followed in such cases.

1. We disable the network connection for the system immediately to prevent any further breach of copyright.
2. We notify the user concerned by email of the complaint and that they have been disconnected from ResNet. They can still access their email and other computing facilities in the public computer rooms around the University.
3. They remove all peer-to-peer filesharing software from their computer, read the regulations, and sign a declaration that they will not break IS regulations in future. This form is handed to the Help Desk in the Computer Centre. The form is kept on record by Information Services.
4. They pay a fine of 20 pounds. The fine is a contribution to the costs involved in handling the complaint and acts as a deterrent for other users.
5. Their connection is then placed on the restricted bandwidth network for a period of 1 month.

If a user should get a second offence then the procedure is similar but the fine is increased to 40 pounds and they are placed on the restricted network for a period of 6 months.

Further offences are not dealt with by this procedure. They are dealt with individually on a formal basis through the University Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor under the Student Disciplinary Regulations.