Have you received a copyright infringement notice?

Indiana University’s procedure in response to copyright notices

Introduction

While Indiana University does not actively search for instances of copyrighted infringement, we do respond to complaints of illegal activity or inappropriate use taking place on the IU network. Copyright owners and their representatives do actively search for copyright infringements of their works and send DMCA take-down notices to Indiana University.

Many online service providers disable the network access of the implicated person immediately upon receipt of the copyright owner's notice. Indiana University, as a public educational institution, allows a short time (36 hours) to give individuals a chance to educate themselves in copyright law and to either take down the materials themselves, produce whatever documented permission they have to share the files, or contest the notice if a mistake has been made.

All individuals implicated by a copyright infringement notice are required to complete a copyright tutorial and pass a short 10-question quiz. The tutorial provides instructions on how to resolve the incident and provides Indiana University documentation that we forwarded the complaint to the user and attempted to educate him or her in the basics of copyright law. Completing the tutorial does not imply guilt and it provides an opportunity to contest the notice if the individual believes a mistake has been made.

Indiana University's procedure in response to copyright notices, and user consequences of these actions, are outlined below.

NOTE: As of January 1, 2008, students will be assessed a cost-recovery fine of $50 per infringement, including the first.

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If this is your first copyright violation notice:

  • You are sent a "First Offense" email, including a copy of the complaint from the copyright holder, and given 36 hours to complete the tutorial and quiz.
  • If you are a student, a $50 cost-recovery fine is applied to your Bursar account.

If you take the quiz within 36 hours and pass:

  • The incident is closed.

If you do not take the quiz or do not pass within 36 hours:

  • Your computer is blocked from accessing the IU network. If the connection was made through the IU VPN or dial-up networks then your access to these services may also be blocked.
  • You are given two weeks to take the tutorial and pass the quiz. If you have not passed the quiz at the end of two weeks the incident is referred to the appropriate disciplinary office. For students, this is the Office of the Dean of Students; for staff, this is a department head and Human Resources; for faculty, this is a department chair and the Dean of Faculties.
  • Access to the IU network, once blocked, cannot be re-enabled until you pass the quiz. The quiz may be attempted multiple times in order to re-enable access to the network.

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If this is your second copyright violation notice:

You are sent a "Second Offense" email, including a copy of the complaint from the copyright holder, and given 36 hours to complete the tutorial and quiz. If you believe a mistake has been made in identifying your IP address or the material listed in the notice, you will find directions on how to file a "counter-notice" within the tutorial.

  • You are sent a "Second Offense" email, including a copy of the complaint from the copyright holder, and required to complete the tutorial and quiz.
  • If you are a student, a $50 cost-recovery fine is applied to your Bursar account.
  • Your computer is immediately blocked from accessing the IU network, and it will remain blocked for two weeks.
  • You will be unable to register additional computers or devices on the IU network for two weeks.
  • You lose access to the IU VPN, dial-up, and wireless networks for two weeks.
  • You are referred to the appropriate disciplinary office. For students, this is the Office of the Dean of Students; for staff, this is a department head and Human Resources; for faculty, this is a department chair and the Dean of Faculties.
  • The blocks remain in place for a minimum of two weeks and until you have completed the copyright tutorial and passed the quiz.

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If you receive a third copyright violation notice:

  • You are sent a "Third Offense" email, including a copy of the complaint from the copyright holder.
  • If you are a student, a $50 cost-recovery fine is applied to your Bursar account.
  • Your personal computer is immediately blocked from accessing the IU network, and it will remain blocked indefinitely.
  • You are no longer allowed to register any computer or device on the IU network.
  • You will lose access to the IU VPN, dial-up, and wireless networks indefinitely.
  • You are referred to the appropriate disciplinary office. For students, this is the Office of the Dean of Students; for staff, this is a department head and Human Resources; for faculty, this is a department chair and the Dean of Faculties

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