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.
LOGIN TO COPYRIGHT NOTICE ALERT SYSTEM
I received a Copyright Alert from Sparklight. What is it?
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.
What should I do?
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 his or her agent 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.
More information on how copyright owners determine whether an IP address accesses, uploads, or downloads copyrighted files without authorization is available here:
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 myaccount.cableone.net with your Sparklight username and password.
Has my personal information been shared by Sparklight?
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.
Sparklight does not routinely monitor the websites you have accessed or specific Internet activity.
I didn't see any of the copyright notices.
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.
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 owner notices contain links to websites that ask for personal information and demand fees for settlement. Sparklight does not require its subscribers to provide the personal information and pay the fees requested in order 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.
Where can I find out more about copyright?
Please visit www.copyrightinformation.org.
Where can I get legal copies of copyrighted movies, TV shows or music?
There are many legal sources for purchasing, obtaining, or viewing content over the Internet. The following is a short, but not complete list of popular sources:
Amazon; Apple TV; Sparklight TV Everywhere Portal; Hulu; Hulu Plus; ITunes; Netflix; Network Web Sites (ABC, CNN, etc.); Pandora; Rhapsody; and Vudu.
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 the MyAccount page then clicking on "Copyright Notices". If you are unable to access the notices, you can contact the Technical Care Center.