department of developmental biology

Department of Developmental Biology
Copyright Infringement Policy
Effective November 2002 (Updated October 2004)

This policy is to inform each member of the Department of Developmental Biology and all associated students about the University’s Computer Use Policy regarding the use of copyrighted materials.

"Much of what appears on the Internet is protected by copyright law regardless of whether the copyright is expressly noted. Users should generally assume that material is copyrighted unless they know otherwise and not copy or disseminate copyrighted material without permission. Copyright protection also applies to software, which is often licensed to the University with specific limitations on its use. Both individual users and the University may, in some circumstances, be held legally responsible for violations of copyright."

"Users within the academic community must understand the perils of illegal use, exchange, or display of copyrighted, deceptive, defamatory, or obscene materials on a web page or through other electronic communication channels."

Effective November 2002, all computers engaged in file sharing will be taken off the network without warning.

Unless permission has been granted to use copyrighted materials and/or are the owner of the copyrighted material, immediately remove all music, movies, and program files from your computer. All forms of electronic file sharing that are not directly related to professional activities are not allowed and must immediately stop.

Using unlicensed copyrighted material is illegal and may subject the violator to civil liability and/or criminal charges. Washington University expects all members of its community to respect United States Copyright Laws. Under the University's Computer Use Policy, repeated violations of the copyright laws are punishable by termination of access to some or all of the University's computer resources or termination of employment.