Copyright Protection Tips

Ten tips to avoid copyright theft:

1. SET A COMPANY POLICY REGARDING COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Users, managers and IT personnel need to understand that unauthorised copying and transmission of someone else's films or other works is copyright theft, which the organisation does not condone.  This is best implemented in your organisation's policy manual and tems and conditions of employment. 

2. TAKE COPYRIGHT INVENTORIES

Many organisations already audit their systems for certain types of copyright material, particularly software.  Inventories should also include music and other major types of copyright material.   Movie files are typically 500 to 700 megabytes in size, stored in .avi, .mpg or .mov format.  These can sometimes be included in compressed files like .zip and .rar files.

3.  DELETE UNAUTHORISED MATERIAL

Commercial recordings of music and movie DVDs are virtually never licensed for corporate or other multiple copying, or licensed for internet distribution, except through recognised, legitimate services.  You should ask for and keep evidence to show that any copies of copyright material are legal.  'Private copy', 'fair use', 'evaluation copy' or other such excuses do not apply to corporate or internet copying.

4.  CONTROL FILE-SHARING

Many organisations ban unauthorised software installations and 'file-sharing' activity on their corporate machines as an easy way of reducing copyright and security problems.  Software programs like freeware Digital File Check can scan for, block or remove file sharing software from personal computers.

5.  SET FIREWALL RULES

Some internet firewalls can be configured to screen out infringing files and illicit services in a number of ways.  Particular internet addresses, ports or protocols on which 'file-sharing' typically occurs can be blocked. Commercial vendors also offer sophisticated software that can selectively filter copyrighted material.

6.  CONTROL WIRELESS ACCESS

You should be sure that wireless connections to your network and the internet are encrypted and secure, so that these connections are not hijacked for illegal purposes.  Wireless hub software lets you set access codes and the desired level of encryption.

7.  WATCH TRAFFIC LEVELS

Network monitoring software,which may have been supplied with your network equipment, allows you to check whether users or devices are hogging bandwidth.  Check traffic 'hot spots' to see if there is a system problem or illegal activity taking place.

8.  MAINTAIN VIRUS PROTECTION

Anti-virus software can screen out rogue files containing viruses, spyware or other damaging material, and should be installed on every computer.  Vendors update this sotware regularly to take account of new viruses.  You should be sure that all copies of anti-virus programs are run regularly and kept up to date.

9.  MAINTAIN SPYWARE PROTECTION

Similarly, a range of commercial software programs can find and remove spyware, adware and similar programs from your organisation's machines.  Anti-spyware programs should be run and updated regularly.

10.  DESIGNATE A COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Someone in your organisation should be responsible for protecting against copyright theft on your systems.  The person needs to be sufficiently senior (such as the IT or finance director) to insist on ongoing compliance with your organsiation's policy, to remove illicit material promptly, and to deal with notices and disciplinary actions should they arise.

Note: While this article refers to film, we note that music files also need to be managed.

Keeping the above points in mind will ensure that you can succeed in the fight against copyright infringement including software cracking and ensure copyright protection.

Below - a collection of seized computers and media - don't let it happen to you!