The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) was signed into law in 2008. It contains several sections that deal with unauthorized file sharing on campus networks, imposing three general requirements on all U.S. colleges and universities:

• An annual disclosure to students describing copyright law and campus policies related to violating copyright law.
• A plan to “effectively combat the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials” by users of its network, including “the use of one or more technology-based deterrents,” with a periodic review.
• A plan to “offer alternatives to illegal downloading.”

The following groups are working together to ensure Stony Brook University makes a good-faith effort to remain in compliance with this law:

• Division of Information Technology (DoIT) / Teaching, Learning with Technology
• University Libraries
• Office of the Provost
• Office of General Counsel
• Office of Student Affairs
• Stony Brook Research Office
• Campus Residences