KU Statement on Digital File-Sharing
One goal of the University is to create new knowledge through research. (See the University of Kansas Intellectual Property Policy.) Creating and utilizing intellectual property is a life-long activity for all individuals engaged in scholarship, knowledge-based professions, business, and the arts. Ownership and use of intellectual property are protected by U.S. law, which provides sanctions for those who infringe on the rights of others, including copyright infringement of digital products. Therefore, it is essential that we educate the University community about the purpose and reasons for intellectual property law and, because digital-file sharing is simple and prevalent, that we provide effective training and guidance on what is and is not permissible.
The University of Kansas addresses digital file-sharing of copyrighted materials through the following approaches:
- Providing educational materials about file-sharing upon account registration through the residential network program (ResNet).
- Requiring signed data use agreements by ResNet system users
- Confirming acknowledgment of the policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources by all University system users
- Registering a designated agent for copyright infringement with the U.S. Copyright Office as specified by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and promptly processing all complaints. Upon receipt of a copyright infringement notice, a student will immediately lose the privilege of having a network connection for the remainder of the time he or she lives in KU's residential housing facilities.
- Promoting coverage of the issue in the student newspaper (the University Daily Kansan ).
- Including copyright education in the curriculum of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
- Limiting, through Quality of Service technology, the amount of bandwidth that peer-to-peer file sharing can consume on the residential network.
These approaches at the University of Kansas are intended to protect University systems, build accountability among students, fulfill the University's role as an educational and knowledge-creating institution, and discharge the University's obligation to promote adherence to intellectual property law, including copyright law.
