TVU networks Copyright FAQ

TVU networks takes the rights of intellectual property owners seriously, and complies as a service provider with all applicable provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  As stated in our Terms of Service, TVU networks enforces its policy barring the transmission of infringing material using the TVU networks Service.  We respect the rights of copyright owners and we ask that you do the same.

(1)       What is copyright?

We strongly encourage TVU networks broadcasters to make an effort to understand copyright law before transmitting broadcasts.  We offer the following links to various copyright law resources for informational purposes:

(2)       What type of materials are copyrighted?

Copyright is the right that the producer of a creative work has been granted to prevent others from using it, including copying it.  This allows musicians, artists, writers, movie producers, and other creative types to manage how their works are used and distributed to other people.   

Any TV show of any kind created by another person or company is copyrighted, including all network and cable TV shows (including sitcoms, sports broadcasts, news broadcasts, comedy shows, cartoons, dramas, pay-per-view events, etc.), as well as music videos (from MTV, VH1, BET, etc.), videos of live music concerts, movies and movie trailers, video games, pictures and images, and commercials and advertisements.

(3)       What if the broadcast stream does not have a copyright notice?

A work does not require a "copyright notice" to be protected by copyright.  In the U.S., almost every original work is copyrighted and protected whether it displays a notice or not.

(4)       Is it still a violation if I don't charge for the broadcast transmission or make any money on it?

            Yes, it is still a violation of copyright if you give it away – to your friends, family, or otherwise.           

(5)       What if I only share the broadcast transmission with my friends?

There is no exception for "private" copying in U.S. law.   That means that if you share a work with your friends or family, you could still be liable for copyright infringement.

(6)       How do I know that my broadcast transmission will not infringe another's copyright?

The only way that you can truly know is if you create the entire broadcast transmission 100% yourself (including any background music and images included in your broadcast transmission) and received the appropriate releases and consents from all persons appearing in your broadcast transmission.

(7)       What about fair use?

The "fair use" exemption to copyright law is a defense to copyright infringement that was created to allow the reproduction of a work for certain very limited purposes such as criticism, commentary, parody, news reporting, research and teaching.  Fair use is complicated and chances are that it will not apply to your use of someone else's copyrighted content.  You are responsible for your contributions and may be liable for money damages if it is determined that you wrongly assumed certain content could be included under fair use.  We offer the following links to various copyright law resources for informational purposes:

 
(8)       What happens if I transmit a broadcast for which I don't own the copyright?

If you transmit broadcasts, such as TV sports events, for which you don't own the copyright or don't have permission to transmit, then you risk getting sued by the copyright owner.  If we are notified that your broadcast transmission infringes someone's copyright, then we will notify you, block access to your broadcast, and put you on our copyright infringer ("repeat infringer") list.  This is required by law.  If you persist in transmitting copyrighted content, then we will implement our Repeat Infringer policy and ban you from using any TVU networks services.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:  This Copyright FAQ information is for your general informational purposes only and IT is not legal advice to you of any kind – we are not attorneys.   TVU NETWORKS DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE TO ITS USERS, this faq may not cover important issues that affect your use of copyright content, and you may wish to consult with an attorney about such matters.