Copyright Notice Alert System

Sparklight has established a Copyright Notice Alert System to assist content owners in fighting online piracy by notifying Sparklight customers when their internet service might be employed for possible copyright infringement. The Copyright Notice Alert System can be accessed through your Sparklight account.
 

General Information about Copyright Notice Alert System

What is a Copyright Alert?
Sparklight sends a Copyright Alert to a subscriber when Sparklight has received a notice claiming that the subscriber's IP address was engaged in copyright infringement. These notices generally come from copyright owners or their agents and state the belief that a specified IP address accessed, downloaded, or uploaded copyrighted files without authorization. The notices also generally contain the names and locations of the files, as well as the dates and times the files were accessed. The notices are generally tied to activity on an IP address, not activity by an individual. It is possible that another authorized (or unauthorized) user of your IP address engaged in the allegedly infringing activity.

Please review this short video which explains copyrights.

Copyright Alerts FAQs

I received a Copyright Alert from Sparklight. What should I do now?
1. If you are downloading and sharing copyrighted material improperly, please stop doing so immediately.
2. Double check all computers in your home. Some programs, such as Torrent applications, automatically share files on your computer, even when the computer is not in use.
3. Ensure your WiFi connection is secured.

How was my account identified?
Sparklight receives a notice from a copyright owner or their agents claiming that a specified IP address accessed and downloaded/uploaded copyrighted files without authorization. Sparklight then matches the IP address to the customer who was assigned the IP address at the time of the activity.

You can learn more about how copyright owners determine whether an IP address accesses, uploads, or downloads copyrighted files without authorization by watching this short video.

 

How can I see the notice that was sent to Sparklight?
The actual notices sent by the copyright owner are available by logging in to the Sparklight Customer Portal.

Does Sparklight share my personal information with regards to copyright notice alerts?
Sparklight does not provide identifying customer information to the copyright owner upon receipt of a copyright notice. Sparklight will always protect your privacy and only disclose information with a legal requirement to do so, such as a subpoena or court order.

NOTE: Sparklight does not routinely monitor the websites you have accessed or specific Internet activity.

Is it possible to miss a copyright notice?
Yes. Ad blocking software may interrupt the notice from being seen. The notices are delivered using technology that displays the alerts within web browsers on devices connected to your home network. The technology requires a person to "acknowledge" receiving the notice to close and remove the notice from the browser. Try changing your browser settings to allow the technology to operate properly.

Dealing with Copyright Notices

What are the consequences of multiple copyright alerts?
If you receive multiple Copyright Alerts from Sparklight, your service may be suspended, as outlined in the Sparklight Internet Service Acceptable Use Policy. The copyright owner may pursue legal action through a court order to identify you and collect damages.

The copyright notice I received from one company says I may have to pay a fee. Do I have to pay the fee?
Some copyright owners’ notices contain links to websites that ask for personal information and demand fees for settlement. Sparklight does not require its subscribers to provide their personal information and pay the fees requested to comply with Sparklight's policies. As a reminder, Sparklight does not provide personal information regarding your account to the copyright owners, except by court order.

How do I dispute the complaint?
To dispute the complaint you will need to contact the complainant directly. The contact information for the complainant can be found by logging into your customer portal  then clicking on "Copyright Notices." If you are unable to access the notices, you can contact the Technical Care Center at 877-692-2253.
How to Obtain Content Legally

Where can I get legal copies of copyrighted movies, music, TV shows, or podcasts?
Sparklight provides legal content depending on your video subscription. . In addition, there are many legal sources for purchasing, obtaining, or viewing content over the Internet. The following is a brief list of the most popular sources of streaming video and audio content:

 

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