Copyright Infringement
TO: CAMPUS COMMUNITY
FROM: DEAN OF STUDENTS
Students cited for copyright infringement are subject to sanctions under the UCLA Student Conduct Code, Section 102.05, Computers: "Abuses include, but are not limited to ... violations of copyright laws, whether by theft, unauthorized sharing or other misuse of copyrighted materials such as songs, movies, software, photos or text."
Students are also subject to penalties if prosecuted in Federal court.
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 of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.
Guidance on Student Grievance Procedure for Disability Related Concerns
Faculty, Staff, and Students:
In October, I wrote to inform the Campus Community that UCLA had adopted Procedure 230.2, for Student Grievances Regarding Violations of Anti-Discrimination Laws or University Policies on Discrimination on Basis of Disability. This procedure applies to grievances by students alleging disability-based discrimination by the University, as well as grievances alleging that the University failed to take appropriate steps to investigate disability discrimination, and to grievances by students alleging disability-based discriminatory conduct by students or non-affiliates where the alleged offending behavior occurred in University programs or activities.
We have now issued an accompanying Guidance Document as Attachment B to Procedure 230.2, which is available at http://www.adminpolicies.ucla.edu/APP/Attachment?fileName=230-2-B.This document is designed to assist administrators and staff involved in responding to disability-based discrimination grievances filed by students pursuant to UCLA Procedure 230.2. It outlines the steps of the grievance process and communicates the roles and responsibilities of the administrators and staff involved in the process.
Formal training on the new procedure will be provided starting in Winter 2017.Inquiries regarding the University’s student-related nondiscrimination policies and procedures may be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students at 1104 Murphy Hall, by phone at (310) 825-3871, or by e-mail at dean@saonet.ucla.edu. A staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students is available to assist students who need information or assistance in filing a discrimination complaint.
The ADA & 504 Compliance Office is available to the campus community. The Compliance Office, which serves students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors, coordinates and monitors campus compliance with the requirements of both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the office develops procedures to identify and correct access deficiencies and provides guidance to improve access to campus facilities and programs for individuals with disabilities. For more information, please visit the ADA & 504 Compliance Office website or contact the office by phone at (310) 794-4146, or by e-mail at ada@saonet.ucla.edu.
UCLA is committed to prohibiting disability-based discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, performing a prompt and equitable investigation of grievances alleging discrimination, and properly remedying it when it occurs. Please read the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability for greater details. We are committed in our support and service to students and our community.
Sincerely,
Monroe Gorden, Jr., J.D.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs