ResNet
File Sharing on the University Network
Date: October 2007
To: All UMD students
From: UMD ITSS Network and Security Staff
What You Need to Know
about Peer-to-Peer (p2p) File Sharing
on the University Network
- Anonymous peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing (Ares, BitTorrent) is NOT allowed on the UMD network.
- Copyright Infringement Notices for anonymous p2p file sharing are increasing at UMD.
- If you receive a Copyright Infringement notice, your network access is denied.
How do I get a Copyright Infringement Notice?
The University follows the requirements of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Here's what happens:
- A computer on the University network (resnet, wireless, vpn, modem) is running anonymous p2p software such as Ares or BitTorrent and shares copyrighted files (music, video, software) without permission.
- The copyright holder sends a legal DMCA "cease and desist" notice to the University.
- The University forwards this DMCA notice to the computer owner with a "Network Offense - Copyright Infringment".
- The computer is taken off the network until the issue is resolved.
Updates
- Feb 2007: The RIAA announces they ARE targeting college students. See: RIAA: Music, Movie Industries Target Theft On Internal Campus Networks.
- March 2007: The RIAA begins sending "pre-litigation" notices to students at selected colleges and universities, giving the students 20 days to respond before the RIAA initiates legal proceedings. See: A Poison Pen from the RIAA.
- August 2007: RIAA sends pre-litigation notices to three UMD students. See: Recording industry targets three UMD students for illegal downloads
What are some anonymous peer-to-peer (p2p) programs?
- LimeWire (see: Removing Limewire)
- Ares (see: Removing P2P (Ares) software)
- Bit Torrent
- Morpheus
- Gnutella
- Kazaa
- UWGo
- eDonkey
- others...
What programs are allowed/legal?
Programs like iTunes and Napster - where you pay for downloads - are legal. The University also provides a free subscription to Ruckus Music Service. For details, see: Ruckus Music Service.
Common Myths and Facts
- If I don't download any songs or videos while I'm here, I won't get a Copyright Infringement notice.
- Fact: You can get a notice for downloading OR for allowing others to upload content from your computer. If you have P2P software on your computer, you are most likely sharing files anytime your computer is on the network.
- I turned off file sharing on my p2p program so I don't have to worry.
- Fact: You can not REALLY turn off file sharing with most p2p programs. Many install additional spyware that keeps the p2p connection live. The only real solution: uninstall it.
- I won't get caught.
- Fact: For 2006-2007, over 340 UMD students received DMCA notices from the RIAA.
Questions?
See: ResNet Terms and Conditions and Copyright Complaints
Call: ITSS Help Desk: x8847