Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Copyright Infringement

Consumer Information

Copyright Infringement

“Copyright” is legal protection for creative intellectual works, which is broadly interpreted to cover nearly any expression of an idea. Copyright applies to works in all media, not just print, and it covers all forms of a work. Text (including e-mail and web information), graphics, art, photographs, music, and software are examples of types of work protected by copyright. The creator of the work, or sometimes the person who hired the creator, is the initial copyright owner.

Following are some examples of copyright infringement that may be found in a college setting:

  • Downloading and sharing MP3 files of music, videos, and games without permission of the copyright owner
  • Using corporate logos without permission
  • Placing an electronic copy of a standardized test on a department's web site without permission of the copyright owner
  • Enhancing a web site with music that is downloaded or artwork that is scanned from a book, all without attribution or permission of the copyright owners
  • Scanning a photograph that has been published and using it without permission or attribution
  • Placing a number of full-text articles on a web page that is not password protected and allowing the web page to be accessible to anyone who can access the Internet
  • Downloading licensed software from non-authorized sites without the permission of the copyright or license holder
  • Making a movie file or a large segment of a movie available on a web site without permission of the copyright owner

CCC&TI complies with federal copyright law. Individuals involved in copyright infringement will be subject to campus disciplinary action in addition to possible criminal prosecution up to imprisonment, depending on the nature of the violation and in accordance with federal law. CCC&TI also complies with Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Individuals subject to infringement of this nature are subject to civil penalties from copyright owners, as well as disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the College.