What is copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work (like a song, movie, television show, or video game) is streamed or downloaded without legal authorization from the owner of the copyright. The owner of copyright can also be referred to as the “rights holder” or “content owner”.
Why have I received a notice of claimed copyright infringement?
You have received a notice because a rights holder has identified that your Internet Protocol (IP) address might have been engaged in the unauthorized downloading or streaming of their content online.
Content owners monitor websites that host potentially infringing content (like peer-to-peer file sharing sites) and are able to identify the IP addresses that may have accessed their content from these websites at a specific date and time. Under the Copyright Act’s “Notice and Notice” regime, Shaw, as a connectivity provider, is required to forward notices that we receive from rights holders to the subscriber associated with the IP address identified in the notice.
What is the purpose of the “Notice and Notice” regime?
The Copyright Act’s Notice and Notice regime is intended to deter online copyright infringement.
Has my information been provided to the rights holder?
Shaw will not provide any customer information to rights holders unless ordered by a court or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of such information.
If I’ve received a notice, will I be sued for copyright infringement?
Receiving a notice under the Notice and Notice regime is separate from a lawsuit for copyright infringement. A copyright infringement lawsuit may be commenced whether or not the copyright owner has sent a notice of claimed infringement.
I think someone else was using my Shaw internet services without my permission at the date and time indicated in the notice. What should I do?
For information on how to secure your Shaw home WiFi network, please visit: How To: Secure your wireless network.
If you are a Fibre+ or an Ignite internet subscriber, you can identify devices on your network, view network activity, pause Internet access, and more through the Ignite HomeConnect digital dashboard. For information on how to set-up and manage Ignite HomeConnect, please visit: Getting started with Ignite HomeConnect.
Additionally, all Shaw internet customers using Windows computers are provided with McAfee Internet Security – a complete virus and online protection suite – free of charge. With the parental controls in McAfee Internet Security, you can block certain websites accessed from your Windows computer. For information on how to install McAfee Internet Security, please visit: How To: Install McAfee Internet Security.
What should I do now?
Shaw cannot provide legal advice or otherwise recommend a course of action.