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UC Merced Compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) 

Overview

The University of California, Merced is dedicated to upholding the proper use of copyrights in creative works by faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Our policies mandate that individuals using our computer systems or networks must show respect for both United States and international copyright laws. Although file sharing is not in itself illegal, if you share or download copyrighted material without permission–even unwittingly–you are breaking the law. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in disciplinary action or the termination of access.

UC Merced fully complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and, in case of any concerns about copyrighted material on UC Merced websites, we encourage you to contact our designated campus agent listed below. 

For more information about UC Merced's stance on digital copyright and to access resources that elucidate copyright law, clarify user responsibilities, and promote the appropriate use of the Internet, you can visit the University of California's Digital Copyright Protection website using the provided link.

Campus Designated Agent

The designated agent for the UC Merced to receive notification of claimed infringement under Title II of the DMCA is:

Information Security Office
University of California, Merced
5200 North Lake Rd.
Merced, CA 95343
Telephone: (209) 228-4400
Email: abuse@ucmerced.edu  

Overview of the DMCA

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a crucial component of U.S. copyright law aimed at safeguarding a broad spectrum of creative works. This law bestows upon the creators of such works exclusive rights, including the authority to produce copies of the work, create derivative works, distribute copies, and publicly display or perform the work. Works protected by copyright encompass a wide array of media such as written content, movies, music, photographs, artwork, software, and other original works authored by individuals.

One key provision within copyright law, known as the DMCA, provides a shield for internet service providers against liability in cases of copyright infringement resulting from activities by users of their networks. Copyright owners, which may include entities like record companies, film studios, and software manufacturers, often monitor internet traffic to identify IP addresses that are hosting or sharing files suspected of being unauthorized copies of their works. In compliance with the DMCA, copyright owners notify the internet service provider, which is then required to promptly remove or disable access to the material believed to be infringing.

It's important to note that, under the DMCA, the individual responsible for the infringing activity, not the service provider, bears responsibility in the event that the copyright owner decides to pursue damages for copyright infringement. This legal framework strikes a balance between protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring that service providers are not held accountable for the actions of their users.

Read more about the DMCA: U.S. Copyright Law

Submitting DMCA Violation Claims

The DMCA specifies that all infringement claims must be in writing (either electronic mail or paper letter) and must include the following:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the copyright holder or a person authorized to act on his or her behalf;
  • A description of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site;
  • A description of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity, and information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to locate the material;
  • Information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to contact you, such as an address, telephone number, and, if available, an electronic mail address;
  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
  • A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that you are the owner, or are authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

Additional Resources