Bridgewater State University's Response to the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2009 

This page will serve as an ongoing and updated document from the Division of Information Technology to inform the community of matters pertaining to copyright infringements and the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

The Division of Information Technology will block all peer-to-peer applications traversing the University network destined for the internet starting in July, 2010. Using peer-to-peer applications to transmit any infringing copyrighted material violates Federal Law and the Acceptable Use Policy of Bridgewater State University and will result in University disciplinary actions as well as civil and criminal liabilities. If you have a legitimate academic or business need to use a peer-to-peer application please submit a ticket with the BSU HelpDesk at Ext. 2555 (508.531.2555 from off campus) or ITSupport@bridgew.edu.

 In addition to University disciplinary actions, one who shares copyrighted materials with those on the internet may be subject to civil and criminal liabilities as well as penalties for violation of Federal Copyright Laws with fines pursuant to federal laws. The University's effectiveness of its technology-based deterrent will be subject to periodic review and testing to ensure compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) (Public Law 110-315). Division of Information Technology would like to remind all campus users that if there is any doubt to the legitimacy of free downloaded materials to please contact the copyright owner to ask permission before using it.

Educause is a nonprofit association that maintains a list of legal sources of online content. The Higher Education Opportunity Act requires all colleges and universities to offer legal alternatives to unauthorized downloading. 

Legal Sources of Online Content from Educause

Reviewed 8/2024 by Steve Zuromski, Vice President of Information Technology & CIO