If You Receive a Copyright Infringement Notification
What to do if you receive a DMCA Copyright Infringement Notification
Do the following steps immediately:
- Read the entire DMCA notification of infringement. You will find this attached at the end of your email from a member of the Kent State DMCA Compliance Team. Be sure to read the notice, even if you don't believe your machine is in violation.
- If you are using peer to peer (P2P) sharing software such as FrostWire, BitTorrent, or LimeWire for example, for the illegal downloading/sharing of copyrighted material, you should immediately remove the software.
- You are required to search for files listed in the infringement notice and remove those that have been illegally obtained. If you do have the rights to use the files, you most likely do not have the right to share the files.
- Notify the DMCA Compliance Team once your computer has been verified clean. Schedule an appointment with a team member and deliver a signed compliance form to the DMCA Compliance Team, stating that your computer has been cleaned of all infringing material.
Do Not:
- Ignore the notice. If you do not respond to the DMCA Compliance Team, your network connection will remain blocked until the matter is resolved.
- Contact the copyright holder directly. They do not need to know who you are, and they may be confused about who to contact in the future.
What the DMCA Compliance Team Will Require of You
If you receive a DMCA Copyright Infringement Notification you will be required to take an educational DMCA course, provided by the DMCA Compliance Team. At the end of this course, you must pass a quiz with a score of 100%. Then, you must sign a compliance verification form and deliver it to the DMCA Compliance Team. Finally, you must schedule a meeting with the DMCA Compliance Team, after which your network access will be restored. If this is not your first infringement, additional steps may need to be taken.
Additional DMCA and Copyright Resources
Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws
DMCA Complaint Management Procedures
DMCA Procedures for Residence Hall Students
Copyright Infringement Information Page
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
Penalties for Copyright Infringement
Kent State's Response to Copyright Infringement
How to Enjoy Copyrighted Material Responsibly
Compliance Verification Form
Report Alleged Copyright Infringement
This page is maintained by the Department of Infrastructure Engineering's DMCA Compliance Team
Email: copyright@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-3929