UW DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Information

Last updated: January 31, 2024
Information for Copyright Holders
UW Registered Agent: Damien Koemans, Associate Vice President, UW-IT Customer Experience
University of Washington
4545 15th Ave NE
Box 354844
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 221-5000
Allegations of infringement must be sent to: uwdmca@uw.edu

UW Compliance With the DMCA

The University of Washington is committed to ensuring that copyrights in creative works are respected and used appropriately by UW faculty, students, staff and visitors. Our policies require those using our computers or networks to respect U.S. and international copyright laws and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or termination of access.

The University does not monitor what individuals do while online, but does respond to all notices from copyright holders alleging inappropriate activity across our networks. If an individual chooses to host or exchange files unlawfully, that individual will be personally responsible for any consequences from that activity. Ignorance of the law is not a useful defense. The University strongly recommends that individuals using University of Washington networks and computers learn the rules and the laws before sharing files on line.

Overview of the DMCA

U.S. Copyright Law protects a wide range of creative works and grants to the owner of the work the exclusive right to make copies of the work, to make new works using part of the original work, distribute copies of the work, and display or perform the work publicly. Works protected by copyright include: written works, movies, music, photographs, art, software, and other original works of authorship.

A provision in Copyright Law known as the DMCA allows internet service providers to shield themselves from liability for copyright infringement due to infringing activity by users of the service provider’s networks. Owners of copyright materials, including record companies, movie studios and software manufacturers, routinely monitor internet traffic and identify IP addresses that are hosting or sharing files that appear to be unauthorized copies of the owners. works. In compliance with the DMCA, the copyright owners notify the service provider and the service provider must expeditiously remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material. The individual responsible for infringing activity, not the service provider, will be responsible should the copyright owner wish to seek damages for infringing activity.

Read more about the DMCA: U.S. Copyright Law

UW Policy

Administrative Policy Statement 47.2
Personal Use of University Facilities, Computers, and Equipment by University Employees

Section 3(a) Prohibited Use of Resources:

“University resources, including facilities, computers, and equipment, may not be used in any manner that is in violation of University, state, or federal laws, rules, or policies, or to violate the rights of any third party.”

Examples of restrictions on the use of University resources, facilities, computers, and equipment include but are not limited to the following:

  • University computing and Internet resources may not be used in violation of federal copyright law.

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