TO: The University Community

FROM: Charles E. Phelps, Provost

RE: Observing Copyright

As a scholarly community that generates and refines new knowledge, the University has a special obligation to observe the copyright laws protecting authors and creators of original material. Coupled with that requirement is the recognition within the law that "fair use" of copyrighted materials is an integral and important part of the academic process.

Many important considerations for copyright and fair use, including federal copyright law itself, can be found on the "Copyright Clearance and Fair Use" Web page (www.lib. rochester.edu/copyright) maintained by the River Campus libraries, or on the "Copyright Information" page (www.urmc.rochester.edu/Miner/Docs/aserv/copyrt.htm) maintained by the Medical Center's Miner Library.

Relatively new questions of the digital age surround the recent growth of "file sharing" of movies, music, and software purely for private entertainment. As recent news stories illustrate, this concern is emerging on many college campuses.

Peer-to-peer file-trading networks count many in the national student population among their members, and this activity puts those individuals at risk if copyrighted materials are downloaded without appropriate permission.

In addition, file sharing can claim valuable bandwidth for colleges and universities, and institutions are being forced to examine ways to begin limiting file-sharing traffic in order to preserve bandwidth for core missions in teaching and research.

I write to remind all members of the University community that copyright serves an important purpose for authors and creators (including our own here at the University) and that the laws of copyright must be observed. It is an important responsibility of each individual to understand his or her privileges and responsibilities concerning copyright and fair use.

Any questions concerning copyright and/or infringement should be directed to Associate Provost Lynne Davidson at lynne.davidson@rochester.edu or x3-4765.

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