I got this from my school’s internet security unit, which they forwarded to me:
You are being contacted on behalf of NBC Universal and its affiliates (“NBC Universal”) because your Internet account was identified as having been used recently to illegally copy and/or distribute the copyrighted NBC Universal motion picture(s) and/or television show(s) listed at the bottom of this letter. This notice provides you with the information you need in order to take immediate action that can prevent serious legal and other consequences. These actions include:
1. Stop downloading or uploading any motion pictures or TV shows owned or distributed by NBC Universal and/or its affiliates without authorization; and
2. Permanently delete from your computer(s) all unauthorized copies you may have already made of such films and/or TV shows.
The illegal downloading and distribution of copyrighted works are serious offenses that carry the risk of substantial monetary damages and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.
Copyright infringement also undoubtedly violates your school’s policies governing acceptable use of campus network resources and could lead to serious disciplinary action.
A motion picture industry website, www.respectcopyrights.org, offers step-by-step instructions to ensure that your Internet account is not being used to violate the copyright laws. The site also can point you to an array of legal choices for enjoying movies and TV shows online. You can also learn there how movie theft damages our economy and costs thousands of Americans their jobs, thereby reducing employment opportunities for new graduates.
If, after visiting www.respectcopyrights.org you still have questions, or if you believe you have received this notice in error, you may contact NBC Universal by email at antipiracy@nbcuni.com or by calling (818) 777-4876. Please cite the Reference ID noted at the top of this letter in the subject line of your email or in any voicemail you may leave. You should take immediate action to prevent your Internet account from being used for illegal activities. Today, there are many ways to enjoy movies and TV programs legally.
This letter is not a complete statement of NBC Universal’s rights in connection with this matter, and nothing contained herein constitutes an express or implied waiver of any rights, remedies or defense, all of which are expressly reserved.
****
I’ve been using utorrent under the advice of a friend, and didn’t exactly realize how serious it was. I deleted the files and program. So….does this mean that I am getting in legal trouble? Or is this more like a “don’t do it again and we won’t punish you” type of thing?
Thanks!
Categorized | Featured Articles
Nbc Universal Copyright Infringement Notice?
Posted on November 23, 2010.
Wow! Who knew? How did they even know you were doing it? THAT’S spooky!
Yes, it does sound like a “don’t do it again and we won’t punish you” type of thing but the principal should be informed–and make sure you do exactly what the letter says.
It’s a “don’t do it again and we won’t punish you” thing. How serious they are is another issue. I’ve heard of people that have received multiple letters like this, and nothing has happened to them. But then you hear of people being sued over it also. So it’s up to you to decide if you want to continue to download copyrighted material like this.
You’re getting off lightly. They could still sue you for up to $150,000 for each copyrighted work that you downloaded illegally. A woman in Wisconsin was tried in court and ordered to pay $1.9Million for downloading 24 songs using Kazaa.
Chances are they are waiting for a bigger fish to come along and become the new poster-child for copyright infringement, but they are CERTAINLY going to be monitoring your activity to determine if you have complied with their stipulations.
Actually, what this is is a “DO IT AGAIN and we WILL punish you” type of thing. You have been identified, they can sue you for thousands PER download.
You and all your little friends are now on their radar, any further downloads of ANYTHING is going to lead to serious consequences.