ARCHIVED: What does IU do when it receives complaints about copyright violations involving the IU network?

While Indiana University does not actively search for instances of inappropriate use of copyrighted materials, the university is obligated to investigate complaints of illegal activities or inappropriate use taking place on the IU network. Copyright owners do actively search for copyright infringements of their works and send Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) take-down notices to the online service provider hosting the materials.

For information about IU's procedure regarding copyright violations that involve the IU network, see the Information Technology Policy Office (ITPO) What Happens If I Receive a Copyright Infringement Notice? page at:

IU network users should be aware that the copyright owner may also choose to take direct legal action against the alleged infringer. The No Electronic Theft (NET) Act of 1997 provides for serious criminal penalties, including a fine of up to $250,000 and a potential jail sentence, and the copyright owners could subpoena the university for information to identify the user. Lack of knowledge about copyright infringement laws does not excuse the user from legal consequences, or from action by the university. It is the user's responsibility to be aware of the legality of the possession or redistribution of any files. For more information, see the Knowledge Base document What happens if I receive a copyright infringement notice, and how can I avoid it?

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