Institutional Information

Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, violates university policy and may subject you to civil and criminal liabilities.

The following university policies and standards explicitly mention the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials:

• VT Acceptable Use Policy (Policy 7000)
  This policy specifically mentions respect for intellectual property rights (e.g., as reflected in licenses and copyrights) and outlines the enforcement of these policies at Virginia Tech.
• Acceptable Use of Information Systems at Virginia Tech
  Outlines what is acceptable use of Virginia Tech information systems. Note that it is NOT permissible to "make or use illegal copies of copyrighted materials or software, store such copies on university systems, or transmit them over university networks."

Other copyright infringement information:

• Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws
  Penalties for copyright infringement can be very costly and may include criminal penalties. This is a summary prepared by the U.S. Department of Education.