Illegal File Downloads on the Tacoma Community College Network

It is the policy of Tacoma Community College to respect the copyright protections given by law to authors, software owners, musicians, video producers and others. The College’s Acceptable Use Policy prohibits use of the College’s network to copy or reproduce any software, music, video, or other published content that is protected by copyright, except as expressly permitted in writing or by law. The College has the ability to identify individuals engaged in illegal music and video downloads on the College’s network. Students violating this policy are subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Federal Copyright Laws

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or "statutory" damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For "willful" infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys' fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov , especially their FAQ's at www.copyright.gov/help/faq

Legal Alternatives for Downloading

The list below includes legitimate online services providing access to music, video and other content. These and other legal sources of online content can also be found at http://www.educause.edu/legalcontent In publishing this list, the College intends no endorsement or evaluation of these sites.

Some of the sites listed provide some or all content at no charge; they are funded by advertising or represent artists who want their material distributed for free, or for other reasons. Just because content is free does not mean that downloading it is illegal. On the other hand, you may find websites offering to sell content. Just because content is not free does not mean that downloading it is legal.

 ABC.com TV Shows  Last.fm  Amazon MP3 Downloads  Latinoise  Amazon Video on Demand  LifeWay Music  Amie Street  Liquid Digital Media  AOL Music  Listen.com  ARTISTdirect Network  Magnatune  AudioCandy  MediaNet  Audio Lunchbox  Mindawn  BearShare (version 6 or higher)  MovieFlix  Best Buy  MP3.com  BET  MTV Video  Blip.fm  Music Millennium  Blockbuster Online  MusicRebellion  Bravo Videos  myLifetime Video  Buy.com  MySpace Music  Cartoon Network Video  Napster  Catsmusic  NBC Video  CBS Video  Netflix Movies & TV  CD Baby  Neurotic Media  CinemaNow  Nick Jr. Video  Clicker (formerly Modern Feed)  Pandora  Comedy Central Video  PBS Kids Go! Video  Criterion Online  PlayStation Store  The CW Video  Pro-Music  Dimple Records  Public Domain Torrents  Discovery Channel Videos  Qtrax  Disney Videos  Record & Tape Traders  Download Fundraiser  Reeltime Television Network (RTVN)  The Electric Fetus  Rhapsody  eMusic.com  Slacker  ESPN360  South Park Episode Player  EZTakes  Spinner  Fancast  Spotify  FOX on Demand  Steam  FX Networks Video  Superpass  FYE  TBS Videos  Gallery of Sound  TheWB  GameFly  TidalTV  GameTap  TNT DramaVision  Hulu Movies & TV  Top Hits Entertainment  iLike  TV.com  iMDb Video  TVLand Video  imeem  USA Network Videos  iMesh  VH1 Videos  Independent Records & Videos  Walmart Movies & TV  iTunes Movies, Music, & TV  Walmart MP3 Music Downloads  Jaman  Windows Media Guide  Jamendo  Xbox Live Marketplace  Joost Movies & TV  Yahoo! Music  Lala  Zune

Other Resources for Legal Downloading

 Bird Trax at Illinois State University  Campus Downloading: Legal Sites  RIAA Tools for Parents & Educators  MPAA Legal Options for Movies & TV Shows