Copyright & Fair Use at UMass Amherst

Copyright is the legal framework that protects the use, distribution, and reproduction of original work. Using the campus network to illegally download and share copyrighted materials (e.g., music, movies, software) violates University policies and the federal copyright law.

Copyright Policies
Copyright Support Articles

Please refer to the list of copyright infringement support articles to learn more.

Key points:

  • UMass Amherst receives over 1,000 violation notices a year
  • Violations may result in loss of Internet connectivity, University sanctions--even a lawsuit
  • Students’ families are often forced to pay substantial out-of-court settlements
Copyright Reporting Copyright Reporting Copyright Basics: A Glossary Copyright Basics: A Glossary Infringement Procedures Infringement Procedures Copyright & File Sharing FAQ Copyright & File Sharing FAQ Avoid Copyright Infringement Avoid Copyright Infringement Sharing Files Online Legally & Safely Sharing Files Online Legally & Safely Copyright Resources Copyright Resources More Support Articles More Support Articles