Spring Break
Students seek more info on RIAA
ALEXIS GARROBO
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
Students violating University policy on illegal downloading said they wish they were educated sooner but think the infractions are resolved.
Since spring, more than 150 students were identified and informed by the University of their illegal downloading activity - some are facing the threat of legal action by the Recording Industry Association of America.
RIAA contacts the University with a violating Internet Protocol address. The University matches the IP address with a student on the server. Once identified by the University, the student is notified of the violation and given a letter from RIAA. The letter encourages the student to settle before legal measures are taken.
One student found using peer-to-peer software said educational programs prior to infractions would deter students from engaging in the activity.
"It'd be a good idea because everyone can know what they can and can't do," said a student, who received a letter and signed an informal resolution with the Office of Judicial Programs not to download music illegally.
Stephen Shewmaker, executive director of the Office of Legal Affairs, said plans are on the table to inform students about illegal downloading during orientation sessions.
During briefing with the OJP, the student said he was told to remove music from the shared folders. He was told the University encourages downloading but not in a shared folder.
He said he felt if he went through briefing initially, he would not have gotten into trouble.
Following informal resolution, another student said she was reprimanded only by the University.
The female found in violation of the computer use policy said she stopped downloading once informed. When asked if she thought RIAA would proceed with charges against her, the student said she thinks the matter has been resolved.
She received notice from the RIAA after an informal hearing, but she does not think the University hands names to RIAA.
Since spring, more than 150 students were identified and informed by the University of their illegal downloading activity - some are facing the threat of legal action by the Recording Industry Association of America.
RIAA contacts the University with a violating Internet Protocol address. The University matches the IP address with a student on the server. Once identified by the University, the student is notified of the violation and given a letter from RIAA. The letter encourages the student to settle before legal measures are taken.
One student found using peer-to-peer software said educational programs prior to infractions would deter students from engaging in the activity.
"It'd be a good idea because everyone can know what they can and can't do," said a student, who received a letter and signed an informal resolution with the Office of Judicial Programs not to download music illegally.
Stephen Shewmaker, executive director of the Office of Legal Affairs, said plans are on the table to inform students about illegal downloading during orientation sessions.
During briefing with the OJP, the student said he was told to remove music from the shared folders. He was told the University encourages downloading but not in a shared folder.
He said he felt if he went through briefing initially, he would not have gotten into trouble.
Following informal resolution, another student said she was reprimanded only by the University.
The female found in violation of the computer use policy said she stopped downloading once informed. When asked if she thought RIAA would proceed with charges against her, the student said she thinks the matter has been resolved.
She received notice from the RIAA after an informal hearing, but she does not think the University hands names to RIAA.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
CoastalDawg
posted 11/30/07 @ 10:14 AM EST
These are COLLEGE students, not kindergarten or elementary school. It is very difficult to believe that college students who score high enough to be accepted to one of the finest universities in the country are not fully aware of all the publicity surrounding downloading music and other files, sharing files, etc. (Continued…)
MC
posted 11/30/07 @ 10:18 AM EST
If you want to know what you can and can't do with a computer, look at the University's official rules:
http://www.uga.edu/compsec/use.html
The University can't exempt you from the law of the land. (Continued…)
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