It is illegal to download or share copyrighted materials without the express permission of the copyright holder. If you download and/or distribute copyrighted material without the copyright holders permission then this is a violation of both Federal law and University policy subject to severe penalties.

If caught, you may be subject to statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven by the copyright owner, that amount may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. The penalty for movie infringements can be up to $250,000 per movie file. In addition, an infringer of a work may also be liable for the attorney's fees incurred by the copyright owner to enforce his or her rights, and university sanctions ranging from losing network usage rights to dismissal from the university.

DMCA Copyright Infringement Notification

If you receive a DMCA Copyright Infringement Notification you will be required to do all of the following:

STEP 1:
Watch both movies below:

STEP 2:
Read all the following:

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

DMCA Complaint Management Procedures

DMCA Procedures for Resident Students

Copyright FAQs

Message to Kent State Community on Illegal Downloading of Copyrighted Materials from Ed Mahon VP for Information Services and CIO

Copyright Infringement Information Sheet

STEP 3:
Print Form

Compliance Verification Form

Report Alleged Copyright Infringement

Additional Resources

This page is maintained by the Office of Security and Access Management
E-mail: security@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-5566
Fax: 330-672-3253