Frequently Asked Questions about Copyrights and Verizon's Anti-Piracy Cooperation Program

The DMCA was passed in 1998 by the U.S. Congress to protect copyrighted works in the digital age while providing important protections for online service providers to ensure the free flow of information. Additional information about the DMCA is available at the U. S. Copyright office's website at https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf. Information about how to submit a takedown notice to Verizon’s DMCA designated agent and Verizon’s DMCA Repeat Infringer Policy is available at https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/terms-of-use.

The Verizon Anti-Piracy Cooperation Program involves sending notices by email to our subscribers relating to claims of alleged copyright infringement from copyright owners. The program is designed to alert you to potential infringing activity involving your account.

Yes. As part of Verizon’s implementation of its repeat infringer policy, copyright owners may complete an online conduit notice form (pdf). Upon the accurate completion of the necessary fields and accompanying attestation, Verizon will forward a notice to the identified subscriber containing the details of the copyright owner’s allegation, including warnings about the potential consequences of continued alleged infringing activity. Both options are available for copyright owners to use to enforce their copyright interests. We urge copyright owners to use the appropriate available process to address their concerns and appreciate their cooperation.

When a copyright owner identifies an instance of possible infringement, it sends the user's Internet Service Provider (ISP) a notice that contains the name of the copyrighted work, the date and time of the alleged infringement and the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer that is alleged to be sharing copyrighted material. The ISP matches the IP address sent by the copyright owner to the specific customer to whom that IP address was assigned at that time, and then sends the information provided by the copyright owner to that user without identifying the user to the copyright owner.

The copyright owner does not know the actual identity of the user assigned to the IP address associated with activity that they believe may constitute copyright infringement. While we, as your ISP, know the customer assigned to a particular IP address, we do not share that information with the copyright owner. We will only provide your identity under the program if we receive a legal demand (such as a subpoena or court order) to do so.

If you receive a notice, we recommend that you confirm that the copyrighted material referred to in the notice is on any computer or other device with access to your Internet service and check to see if your computer or other device has any P2P or file sharing software on it. You should also discuss the notice with others who have access to your Internet service. If you have a wireless router, please refer to the "If I am using a wireless router/modem, how do I protect my home network?" question and answer below for more information on ways to secure your home network.

You may view your notice online by logging onto My Verizon with your Verizon User ID and password and clicking the link that appears in the pop up message to access your Alleged Copyright Violation Notifications history.

Yes, it can be. Aside from the legal liability for unlawful infringement described above, the use of P2P software can expose your computer and other devices to harmful viruses, spyware and other malware that can compromise your privacy. This can happen by using P2P and file-sharing software and downloading files you may think are music or video files but are really malware that can secretly steal your passwords, personal information, or bank account or credit card numbers.

You can remove P2P software and copyrighted material from your computer by following these instructions. You will need the name of the P2P so you can locate and remove it.

Windows 10 Users

Use the Programs window in the Control Panel to remove (uninstall) these programs- just as you would remove any program from your Windows system.

1. Turn off all file-sharing programs.
2. Access your computer’s Start menu by clicking on the Start logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
3. Click on the Windows Accessories folder icon.
4. Click on the Control Panel icon, then click the link for Uninstall a program.
5. Look for P2P software on the list of installed programs. Click once to highlight the software. At the top of the list of programs, select Uninstall. Follow the prompts on the screen to completely remove the software and its components. Some peer-to-peer file-sharing programs have companion programs that are not automatically removed. If you have more than one program to remove, click No if prompted to reboot your computer. Then repeat these steps until you have removed all file sharing programs.
6. Make sure you reboot the system when you are finished.

Windows 8 Users

In the Programs window in the Control Panel, use the Uninstall a Program function to remove (uninstall) these programs just as you would remove any program from your Windows system.

1. Turn off all file-sharing programs
2. Go to your computer's Control Panel by pressing the Windows Key + X key to open a task list
3. Select Control Panel
4. Select Uninstall a Program under Programs
5. Look for P2P software on the list of installed programs. Click once to highlight the software. At the top of the list of programs, select Uninstall. Follow the prompts on the screen to completely remove the software and its components.
   Some peer-to-peer file-sharing programs have companion programs that are not automatically removed. If you have more than one program to remove, click No if prompted to reboot your computer. Then repeat these steps until you have removed all file sharing programs
6. Make sure you reboot the system when you are finished

Windows 7 Users

Use the Programs window in the Control Panel to remove (uninstall) these programs just as you would remove any program from your Windows system.

1. Turn off all file-sharing programs
2. Go to your computer's Control Panel. You can access Control Panel from your computer's Start logo
3. Double-click on the Programs icon
4. Look for P2P software on the list of installed programs. Click once to highlight the software. At the top of the list of programs, select Uninstall.
   Follow the prompts on the screen to completely remove the software and its components.
   Some peer-to-peer file-sharing programs have companion programs that are not automatically removed. If you have more than one program to remove, click No if prompted to reboot your computer. Then repeat these steps until you have removed all file sharing programs
5. Make sure you reboot the system when you are finished

Windows Vista Users

Use the Programs and Features window in the Control Panel to remove (uninstall) these programs just as you would remove any program from your Windows system.

1. Turn off all file-sharing programs
2. Go to your computer's Control Panel. You can access Control Panel from your computer's Start logo
3. Double-click on the Programs and Features icon
4. Look for P2P software on the list of installed programs. Click once to highlight the software. At the top of the list of programs, select Uninstall.
   Follow the prompts on the screen to completely remove the software and its components.
   Some peer-to-peer file-sharing programs have companion programs that are not automatically removed. If you have more than one program to remove, click No if prompted to reboot your computer. Then repeat these steps until you have removed all file sharing programs
5. Make sure you reboot the system when you are finished

Windows XP Users

Use the Add/Remove Programs window in the Control Panel to remove (uninstall) these programs just as you would remove any program from your Windows system.

1. Turn off all file-sharing programs
2. Go to your computer's Control Panel. You can access Control Panel from your computer's Start logo
3. Double click on the Add/Remove Programs or Add or Remove Programs icon
4. Select Change or Remove Programs.
   Click once to highlight the software you would like to remove, then click on the Remove or Change/Remove button.
   Follow the prompts on the screen to completely remove the software and its components.
   Some peer-to-peer file-sharing programs have companion programs that are not automatically removed. If you have more than one program to remove, when prompted to reboot the computer, click No. Then repeat these steps until you have removed all file sharing programs
5. Make sure you reboot the system when you are finished

Mac Users

1. Quit all file-sharing programs
2. Locate the folder containing the P2P software that you want to remove. It is usually in the Applications folder
3. Double-click the P2P program's folder to examine its contents
4. Some Macintosh-compatible P2P programs come with an "uninstall" program. If you see an "Uninstall" or "Uninstaller" program, run it to remove the P2P software.
   If you do not see such a program, go back to the Applications folder, and move the P2P program's folder into the trash
5. Empty your computer's trash folder
6. Go to the Apple menu and select Restart to reboot your computer

If you would like to speak with a specialist to explain this information, you can call the Copyright Notification Department at 866.286.6865 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM ET Monday through Friday.

You can remove copyrighted material from your computer by following these instructions.

Windows Users

1. Review the copyright alert(s) sent to you by Verizon. The alert(s) will contain the name of the file(s) that is alleged to be infringing material
2. Enter this file name into your Search window to locate it on your PC. Then delete the file from your PC
3. Repeat this process for each copyrighted work listed on each alert we sent you
4. Empty your Trash folder and reboot your computer

Mac Users

1. Go to Find
2. Review the copyright alert(s) sent to you by Verizon. It will contain the name of the file(s) that is alleged to be infringing material. Enter this file name into your Search window to locate it on your Mac and press Delete to remove this file(s) from your Mac
3. Repeat this process for each copyrighted work listed on each alert we sent you
4. Empty your Trash bin and reboot your Mac

Note: Verizon Technical Support cannot help with removal of P2P software or copyrighted material. You may want to consider subscribing to Verizon's Premium Technical Support service. To learn more, please visit us at Premium Technical Support.

Verizon recommends using the strongest network encryption compatible with your network devices to prevent others from accessing your connection without your permission. In most cases, that is WPA2 encryption. However, you will notice some older routers or modems may not be compatible with WPA2 encryption. In those instances, WPA is the preferred encryption because it is still stronger than WEP. For step-by-step instructions for upgrading your network security, please visit router setup page and select the router you are using and the type of encryption you prefer.

Finally, one of the most effective ways to protect your computers and data from unwanted intrusions is to use updated firewall software. You should also install and use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and keep your software up to date. There are many different types of security software available, including the Verizon Internet Security Suite. For more information about how firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware software works and to sign-up for the Verizon Internet Security Suite software, which includes a built-in-firewall, please visit us at Verizon Internet Security Suite.