George Mason University (also referred to as “George Mason” OR “or “University”) is committed to upholding the principles of intellectual property and copyright law as mandated by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). In accordance with federal law and university policy, George Mason provides information to students, faculty, and staff to inform them and raise awareness about copyright responsibilities and penalties, as well as information about protecting unauthorized use of their own copyrighted materials.
The HEOA requires higher education institutions, including George Mason, to practice due diligence informing students about copyright infringement risks. All higher education institutions must:
- Provide an annual disclosure to all students. See DMCA Annual Student Notice.
- Implement a plan to effectively combat on-campus network copyright abuse. See Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Process.
- Offer alternatives to illegal downloading. See Legal Sources for Online Music and Videos.
Key Elements of George Mason ’s Copyright Compliance Program
1. Education and Awareness
George Mason provides ongoing education about copyright law through:
- University Policy 1104 – Copyrighted Materials: This outlines the use and reproduction of copyrighted materials for teaching, research, and administrative purposes.
- Training and Resources: The University Libraries’ Ope n Education Resources (OER) and Scholarly Communication Librarian offer guidance and online resources—including Copyright Basics–to help the community understand fair use, permissions, and rights management.
2. Enforcement of Copyright Policies
To comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and HEOA:
- George Mason monitors its network for unauthorized file sharing.
- Users found violating copyright laws may receive “Stop It” notices and face disciplinary action.
- The university may be held liable for fines up to $150,000 if it fails to enforce its copyright policies.
- Both individuals and institutions can face fines of up to $150,000 per work for willful copyright infringement.
3. Legal Use of Copyrighted Materials
George Mason encourages the responsible use of copyrighted works by:
- Promoting Fair Use under 17 U.S.C. §107 for educational and research purposes.
- Supporting TEACH Act provisions for distance learning.
- Providing support on requesting permission and managing rights for scholarly works.
4. Institutional Oversight
5. Alternatives to illegal downloading
Resources for the George Mason Community
For questions or assistance, contact the University Libraries at [email protected].