Ohio inspector general reports on potential copyright violations at Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
The inspector general has issued a report of investigation which was initiated after the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction raised concerns that agency employees were copying copyrighted audio music files stored on correctional institution computer servers.
The audio music files are licensed by the music publisher to JPay, Inc., an approved state vendor who sells downloads of the music files to inmates at the correctional facilities.
Evidence was found to show 16 employees had copied media files to their personal electronic folders on the agency network, and in some cases, attached the copied files to email messages sent to co-workers.
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However, a further review did not reveal any of the audio files were transferred to any unauthorized portable device. Agency-wide access to the JPay, Inc. media files has since been restricted.
On another matter, the inspector general found Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction administrators failed to follow a April 2011 Ohio Governor’s memorandum to state departments and agencies, requiring state employees to report suspected illegal or improper activities.
The issue arose after investigators learned of an alleged pirated video improperly shown to inmates at the Lorain Correctional Institution.
Ohio Inspector General Report of Investigation file number 2014-CA00022 is now available at: http://watchdog.ohio.gov/Portals/0/pdf/investigations/2014-CA00022.pdf