File Sharing: Know the Rules!
So you think that downloading free music and movies from the Internet is a great idea? You might want to think twice about that.
ECU blocks all file-sharing traffic on the university’s network. The term “file sharing” is described as the act of distributing or making available digitally stored material (e.g., music, movies, documents, photos, games, etc.) to other users on the Internet. File-sharing technologies are not in themselves illegal, but what you share may be. File sharing is NOT the ordinary sharing of files; instead, it is when you use specific software such as BitTorrent, uTorrent, or Vuze to distribute copyrighted material.
Illegally downloading copyrighted music, movies and other protected material via file-sharing programs can cost you your network access. You may even be subject to civil and criminal penalties ranging from $750 to $200,000 and up to 10 years of imprisonment. University employees who violate university computer-use policies will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Student violations are misconduct under the applicable student disciplinary code. Sanctions may include revocation of network access privileges in addition to other sanctions available under the regular disciplinary procedures.
It is not our intention to disrupt legitimate file sharing. If you need to use software such as BitTorrent, uTorrent, or Vuze for legitimate business or academic purposes, you will need to submit a file-sharing exception request form through the IT Help Desk. View the P2P File Sharing Exception Terms.
Check Out These Legal Sites
- Where to get movies and TV shows
- Other legal sources of online content
- Visit Creative Commons, a global nonprofit organization that enables sharing and reuse of creativity and knowledge through the provision of free legal tools, for resources such as literary works, videos, photos, audio, and more.