Discussion:
PA State
Hi everybody,
I’m doing a reserch paper on copyright and trademark and found your website site to have valuable information. However I have two questions that I would really appreciated if you could help me answer.

First question: Are Service Providers (ISP’s) required to monitor their servers to ensure that their users are not infringing on someone else’s copyright?

2nd Question: Do Academic institutions have the same restrictions concerning copyright infringement as do companies in the private sector? To what limit can students violate copyright in their projects the present in schools?

Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Arwa
Pittsburgh, PA
Answer:
First question: Are Service Providers (ISP’s) required to monitor their servers to ensure that their users are not infringing on someone else’s copyright? No, but they are required to remove infringing material if they are properly notified. See 17 USC 512, especially section c.
2nd Question: Do Academic institutions have the same restrictions concerning copyright infringement as do companies in the private sector? To what limit can students violate copyright in their projects the present in schools? Yes.
Answer:
No, but they are required to remove infringing material if they are properly notified. See 17 USC 512, especially section c.

Yes. First of all thanks for your answer.
But what if these students are in the a multimedia department and they are for example learning how to design websites and movies by imitating others work. Is the institution violating copyright by letting its students do that even if proper credit is given to the owner of the work.
Could you please be more specific in you answer? Thanks again for your answer, I really appreciate it.
Answer:
First of all thanks for your answer.
But what if these students are in the a multimedia department and they are for example learning how to design websites and movies by imitating others work. Is the institution violating copyright by letting its students do that even if proper credit is given to the owner of the work.
Could you please be more specific in you answer? Thanks again for your answer, I really appreciate it. Google "fair use" -- that will give you a more in-depth overview of the limitations on the right to use copyrighted materials without permission from the copyright holders.