Information Services

West Chester University

Adel Barimani, CIO
Vice President for Information Services
Anderson Hall Room 23
West Chester University
610-436-2828


Response to Student Violations of the DMCA

When Information Security (InfoSec) receives a notification of alleged copyright infringement under the DMCA in which a WCU student is the alleged infringer, InfoSec will initiate the following steps with the student:

First alleged offense by a student:

  • The network port, to which the offending computer is connected, is shut off.
  • A letter (standard copyright infringement 1st occurrence) is drawn up and sent to student via campus mail.  Carbon copies are sent to ResNet technical support staff (SmartStart Center).
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation.
  • The student must provide a written response to the Manager of Information Security explaining that they have either not violated any copyright laws and give proof, or they have corrected the problem and are no longer violating copyright laws.
  • After the Manager of Information Security receives a written response from the student and the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Manager, the student’s port will be turned on within 3 days.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation outlining the steps taken and the outcome.

Second alleged offense by the same student:

  • The network port, to which the offending computer is connected, is shut off.
  • A letter (standard copyright infringement 2nd occurrence) is drawn up and sent to student via campus mail.  Carbon copies are sent to the Director of Judicial Affairs, and ResNet technical support (SmartStart Center).
  • A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s permanent file.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation.
  • The student must provide a written response to the Manager of Information Security explaining that they have either not violated any copyright laws and give proof, or they have corrected the problem and are no longer violating copyright laws.
  • After the Manager of Information Security receives a written response from the student and the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Manager, the student’s port will be turned on within 3 days.
  • A copy of the student’s response will be placed in the student’s permanent file.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation outlining the steps taken and the outcome.

Third and subsequent alleged offense by the same student:

  • The network port, to which the offending computer is connected, is shut off.
  • A letter (standard copyright infringement 3rd occurrence) is drawn up and sent to student via campus mail.  Carbon copies are sent to the Director of Judicial Affairs, VP of Information Services, and ResNet technical support (SmartStart Center).
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation.
  • A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s permanent file.
  • The Director of Judicial Affairs will be notified that the Manager of Information Security wishes to take this matter to the Judicial Board for action. Then final disposition of the WCU Judicial Board will be binding. This could include permanent revocation of college computing privileges, suspension, or expulsion. Please see the WCU Judicial Board procedures for more information.
  • The DMCA agent for WCU will send a formal response back to the party alleging the violation outlining the steps and outcome of the Judicial Board.

Note: If campus officials believe that a student has knowingly and intentionally violated copyright laws, the matter will be taken directly to the Judicial Board, even if it is the first allegation

Reporting Copyright Violations under the DMCA