Copyright Violations Copyright exists in any original work which exists or is fixed in any tangible medium of expression. Images displayable on computer screens, computer software, music, books, magazines, scientific and other journals, photographs and articles are some of the things subject to copyright. A copyright notice is not required. It is a violation of copyright law to copy, distribute, display, exhibit or perform copyrighted works without authority of the owner of the copyright.
Transmission electronically includes both copying and distributing.
Such things as downloading music, or displaying photographs without authority of the copyright owner may be a violation. Civil penalties can be substantial. Under the DMCA, JHU is permitted to immediately take down any infringing site on the JHU network, and block access to any infringing sites on other networks, upon proper notice from the copyright owner or upon actual knowledge of infringement.