RIAA
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) continues its efforts to curtail unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing.
On Friday, March 9, and Saturday, March 10, 2007 the University of Michigan received notification that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) intends to sue or receive settlement from more than a dozen members of the U-M community engaged in unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing of music over the Internet. The RIAA has designated these individuals through IP addresses, and the University is in the process of identifying and notifying them.
Individuals who engage in this practice are likely to be identified and sued by the RIAA. Most have settled these lawsuits out-of-court, typically for $4,000-$4,500.
The University does not condone unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing. Individuals who engage in it are violating a variety of University policies including Standard Practice Guide 601.7 - Proper Use of Information Resources, Information Technology, and Networks at U-M. This reminder also has been sent to all faculty and students. Faculty, staff, or students who have installed peer-to-peer file sharing programs on their computers and are concerned that they might be unwittingly sharing files illegally should visit the University of Chicago's useful web page that describes how to disable file sharing on a variety of programs.
U-M maintains a web page that describes the University's position on illegal sharing of copyrighted materials and also includes a growing list of FAQs. Lawful downloading of music is possible through sites such as Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Ruckus, etc. View details about a number of these sites »
History
In December 2003 the RIAA informed the University of its intent to subpoena the identities of some U-M computer users, who it alleged had infringed on the copyrights of its members.
In April 2004, after RIAA filed suits against a large number of "John Doe" defendants, the University received a subpoena from the RIAA compelling the University to produce the names and contact information associated with nine University-controlled IP addresses. Pursuant to law and University policy, the University does not release information about its computer users unless it is compelled under law to do so.
The Office of the Vice President and General Counsel reviewed the RIAA subpoena and determined that it was both substantively and procedurally valid. As a result, the University complied with the subpoena and released the identities of nine individuals to the RIAA on May 20, 2004.
The University has policies and guidelines that set out the proper use of information resources, information technology and networks at the University of Michigan. These include:
The Responsible Use Guidelines
The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Other Links:
John King letter to Congress June 2007 [PDF]
University Record Story January 2004