WCU's Role

WCU is using the following technologies to help protect materials protected by copyright:

  • Palo Alto Firewall Application filtering. This limits the use of many P2P protocols.

Procedures for reporting DMCA violations

In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), West Chester University of PA has designated an agent to receive notification of alleged copyright infringement occurring within the West Chester University network.

Reporting Violations

To report a copyright infringement, notify our designated agent specified below:

  • Lisa Disney
  • West Chester University of PA
    ALLEGHENY HALL 007
    West Chester,  PA  19383
    Phone: 610-436-1069
  •  

Writing a Claim

The DMCA specifies that all infringement claims must be in writing (either paper mail or electronic mail) and must include:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner, or the person authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner;
  • A description of the copyrighted work(s) claimed to have been infringed;
  • A description of the infringing material and information reasonably sufficient to allow West Chester University to locate the material;
  • Information reasonably sufficient to permit West Chester University to contact you, including name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address;
  • A statement by you that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
  • A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

Procedures for responding to DMCA violations

When Information Security (InfoSec) receives a notification of alleged copyright infringement under the DMCA in which a WCU student is the alleged infringer, InfoSec will initiate the following steps with the student.

First alleged offense by a student

  • The network port, to which the offending computer is connected, is shut off.
  • A letter (standard copyright infringement 1st occurrence) is drawn up and sent to student via campus mail.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation.
  • The student must provide a written response to the Office of Information Security explaining that they have either not violated any copyright laws and give proof, or they have corrected the problem and are no longer violating copyright laws.
  • After the Office of Information Security receives a written response from the student and the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Office of Information Security, the student's port will be turned on within 3 days.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation outlining the steps taken and the outcome.

Second alleged offense by the same student

  • The network port, to which the offending computer is connected, is shut off.
  • A letter (standard copyright infringement 2nd occurrence) is drawn up and sent to student via campus mail. Carbon copies are sent to the Director of Student Conduct.
  • A copy of the letter will be placed in the student's permanent file.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation.
  • The student must provide a written response to the Office of Information Security explaining that they have either not violated any copyright laws and give proof, or they have corrected the problem and are no longer violating copyright laws.
  • After the Office of Information Security receives a written response from the student and the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Office of Information Security, the student's port will be turned on within 3 days.
  • A copy of the student's response will be placed in the student's permanent file.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation outlining the steps taken and the outcome.

Third and subsequent alleged offense by the same student

  • The network port, to which the offending computer is connected, is shut off.
  • A letter (standard copyright infringement 3rd occurrence) is drawn up and sent to student via campus mail. Carbon copies are sent to the Director of Student Conduct and VP of Information Services.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation.
  • A copy of the letter will be placed in the student's permanent file.
  • The Director of Student Conduct will be notified that the Office of Information Security wishes to take this matter to the Judicial Board for action. Then final disposition of the WCU Judicial Board will be binding. This could include permanent revocation of college computing privileges, suspension, or expulsion. Please see the WCU Judicial Board procedures for more information.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation outlining the steps and outcome of the Judicial Board.

NOTE: If campus officials believe that a student has knowingly and intentionally violated copyright laws, the matter will be taken directly to the Judicial Board, even if it is the first allegation

 

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