MATC Matters

In light of the recent news coverage concerning industry efforts to enforce copyrights and to locate potential infringers at colleges and universities, MATC strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff to review MATC’s Network Acceptable Use Guidelines at the links listed at the end of this letter.
Unauthorized uploading, downloading and storage of copyrighted works, such as photographs, music and movies, and peer‑to‑peer file sharing, is often illegal and a violation of MATC’s Acceptable Use Guidelines.

If MATC is given cause to believe that a student, faculty or staff network user has used the MATC network to violate the copyrights of others, it will take action. MATC’s Acceptable Use Guidelines authorize MATC to revoke network privileges and take disciplinary action against those who misuse the MATC network.

In addition to any actions MATC may take, potential infringers may be subject to legal action for violations of federal law. The U.S. Copyright Act provides for statutory damages not less than $750 and up to $30,000 per copyrighted work, all of which can be substantially increased if the infringement was willful. Infringers can also face federal criminal charges.

This special bulletin is to remind you of the Copyright Procedures for Madison Area Technical College (MATC). An electronic copy of the Copyright Procedures can be found on the MATC copyright webpage. In addition, a paper copy of a booklet entitled Copyright Q&A: Questions and Answers on Copyright for the Campus Community will soon be placed in your campus mailbox.

The MATC Copyright Procedures were developed by a cross functional team composed of faculty members, administrators and staff, primarily formed to address the issue of copyrighted materials being used in course packs without seeking permission from the owners and payment of royalties. The procedure is supported by Administrative Policy #213 Copyright Law, and was approved by the MATC College Council. The policy was written with the assistance of Jim Peterson, an intellectual property rights attorney with Godfrey & Kahn.

The Q&A booklet is part of the materials that will be used for training in the area of copyright law and practice. Please read it carefully.

If you have any questions, please contact Herb Nelson, MATC Copyright Agent, at 608/246‑6789. See also the computer use guidelines (see links below).

Computer Use Guidelines for Faculty/Staff
Computer Use Guidelines for Students (please share this with students)