Understanding AT&T Copyright Infringement Policies and Protections

In today’s digital age, copyright infringement has become a pressing concern for content creators and internet service providers alike.

As one of the leading telecommunications giants, AT&T plays a significant role in this ever-evolving landscape.

This blog post will go into detail about AT&T copyright infringement, looking at how the company tries to protect intellectual property rights while also meeting customer needs.

Come with us as we learn about the ins and outs of copyright protection, AT&T’s policies and programmes, and the problems and answers that come up in this digital age of instant information sharing.

Copyright Infringement Risks with AT&T Internet Service

Copyright protection grants the creators of original intellectual property—such as music, films, videos, books, art, and images—the sole rights to their work. This includes the authority to control copying, distribution, adaptation, performance, and financial gains.

If you or anyone using your account copies, reproduces, adapts, or distributes copyrighted material without permission, it constitutes an infringement of these rights.

Using your AT&T Internet service to violate copyright laws is unlawful and breaches the AT&T Internet Terms of Service (TOS) and Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). This policy affects all users of your account and may lead to actions such as limiting internet access or even suspension or termination of service.

What is Copyright Alert Program?

This initiative aims to address copyright violations on peer-to-peer file sharing networks and to educate consumers about the legal acquisition of digital content, such as movies and music.

Managed by the Center for Copyright Information (CCI)—jointly funded by content owners and ISPs—the program also seeks to broadly educate the public about the significance of copyright protection and to promote the availability of content legally over the internet.

Copyright Alert Program in AT&T

AT&T’s Copyright Alert Program is a system that respects and upholds the intellectual property rights of others. It prohibits the use of AT&T’s network and systems to share any content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of third parties, including violations of U.S. copyright law.

Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA), copyright owners who believe their rights have been infringed can report these infringements to Internet providers like AT&T.

In addition, AT&T’s Copyright Alert Program voluntarily accepts and processes infringement allegations related to peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies, provided the content provider or their agent complies with AT&T’s business rules.

AT&T offers an online form for copyright holders to report alleged copyright infringements by its customers.

The program aims to inform you about potential instances of copyright violation on your Internet service account, such as illegal file sharing, so you can take steps to prevent future infringements.

Unauthorised sharing of copyrighted material using P2P technologies is often illegal and can lead to civil and criminal liability. Such unauthorised use also violates AT&T’s High Speed Internet Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy.

Two Basic Elements of the Copyright Alert Program

The program operates on two fundamental principles.

First, content owners pinpoint copyrighted works being illegally shared on peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent and send a notice to AT&T based on the IP address associated with the infringement. AT&T then traces this IP address to the respective subscriber and issues a copyright alert, informing them of the violation and educating them on the legalities of online content sharing.

If further notices are received for a subscriber, the severity of the alerts escalates, potentially leading to consequences that could affect the subscriber’s high-speed internet service.

Subscribers are urged to cease any infringing activity and to ensure that others using their network do the same. Additionally, if a subscriber’s home network is unsecured—lacking a password or firewall—this could inadvertently allow unauthorised access, which might be contributing to the issue.

It is important to note that AT&T safeguards subscriber information and will not disclose it to content owners unless compelled by a court order.

AT&T’s DMCA Policy and Procedure for Copyright Infringement Claims

The policy outlines the requirements for these notifications, including the necessity for a written notice containing specific information about the claimed infringement and the contact details of the complaining party.

AT&T also details the process for counter notifications by subscribers and addresses ISP conduit notices for transitory digital network communications services.

For detailed information and guidance on submitting copyright infringement claims or counter notifications, you can refer to their official policy page here: AT&T DMCA Policies.

Guidelines for Submitting Copyright Infringement Claims to AT&T Under DMCA

Under the provisions of DMCA subsection 512(c)(3), any claim of copyright infringement must be submitted in writing to the designated agent listed by AT&T and should include the following elements:

• A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorised to act on their behalf, concerning a right that is reportedly violated.
• A detailed description of the copyrighted work that is claimed to be infringed, or if the claim involves multiple works at a single online site, a representative list of those works.
• Precise identification of the infringing material and details sufficient for AT&T to locate the material that is claimed to be infringing or is the subject of infringing activity. This includes the material’s location that needs to be removed or access to which must be disabled.
• Adequate contact information for AT&T to reach the complainant, including an address, telephone number, and if available, an email address.
• A declaration that the complainant believes in good faith that the disputed use of the material is not authorised by the copyright owner, their agent, or the law.
• A statement asserting that the information in the notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that the complainant is authorised to act on behalf of the content owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

What else does AT&T do with copyright infringement notices?

When AT&T receives notices of copyright infringement, they consider these as part of the process to determine if they should terminate a customer’s internet service due to repeat infringements, as outlined in their Repeat Infringer Policy.

 This policy is mentioned in both AT&T’s Acceptable Use Policy and Internet Terms of Service. If your account is at risk of termination, AT&T will notify you in writing.

If you disagree with the infringement notice or wish to provide additional information, you can respond by filling out a Contact Us form directed to the Copyright Infringement team.

To access this form, go to the Acknowledge Alerts tab, select View Alerts, and log in with your User ID and password. Your written explanation will be considered during the review of your account for potential termination.

Make sure to include your name, account number, notice ID number, and any evidence or details that might demonstrate the activity was lawful or clarify your situation.

How to Avoid AT&T Copyright Infringement?

To avoid copyright infringement while using AT&T’s services, you can follow these steps:

• Use Licensed Content: Only use or share content that you have permission to use. This could be content you’ve created yourself or content for which you’ve obtained a license.
• Understand Copyright Laws: Educate yourself about what constitutes copyright infringement. Understanding the basics of copyright law can help you recognise when it’s safe to use certain materials.
• Respect Digital Rights Management (DRM): Adhere to DRM rules and guidelines which are designed to protect the rights of content owners.
• Utilise Content Verification Tools: Make use of tools that can verify the copyright status of content before downloading or sharing it. This can include software that checks for copyright claims.
• Seek Permission: If you’re unsure about the copyright status of a piece of content, seek permission from the copyright holder. This includes reaching out directly or going through formal channels to acquire the necessary licenses.
• Check Your Source: Always make sure that the sources from which you obtain content are legitimate and respect copyright laws. Avoid websites or platforms that distribute pirated materials.
• Educate Others: If multiple people use your AT&T account, make sure they are also aware of and comply with copyright laws to prevent inadvertent infringement.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of committing copyright violation through your use of AT&T’s internet services.

What’s Next?

AT&T tackles instances of copyright infringement by tracing IP addresses linked to unauthorised content sharing, particularly via peer technologies.

As a network provider, AT&T sends forms of copyright notice to address allegations of copyright infringement and to educate on aspects of copyright protection.

Using authorised sources and abstaining from sharing content without authorisation are crucial to avoid potential copyright infringement disputes and ensuing copyright lawsuits, thus mitigating liabilities for internet users.

For a secure and ethical internet experience, consider using Bytescare Digital Protection Service to safeguard your copyrighted content. Book a demo to see firsthand how Bytescare can protect your digital content.

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