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We all received the e-mail Thursday from Chancellor Sean O'Keefe warning us against unlawful online file sharing through peer-to-peer networks. Tired of suing preteens and the recently deceased, the Recording Industry Association of America has begun targeting university students in its quest to free the world of illegal music.
Because their previous lawsuit attempts have not worked as expected, the RIAA will allow students to "monetarily settle any record company claims against him or her at a discounted rate before a lawsuit is filed." This way, the RIAA can avoid a tedious lawsuit by having people pay their way out of trouble.
In his letter, O'Keefe informs students the RIAA is "initiating legal action against individuals who engage in illegal file sharing of copyrighted materials." The RIAA "has sent pre-litigation letters to 13 universities," so to be forwarded to the system users.
The RIAA is asking universities to do its dirty work. University officials will use their own time and resources to track down students who participate in file sharing. To do this, the officials will undoubtedly be violating students' privacy.
As absurd as this policy is, it appears the University plans to endorse it. O'Keefe wrote, "Students who illegally possess or share copyrighted materials may be denied access to computing resources, be subject to disciplinary actions and possibly face civil and/or criminal legal proceedings and sanctions."
Purdue University, another targeted school, has taken a different, inspiring approach by standing up to the RIAA. It rarely even bothers to tell students they have been accused by the RIAA because it is too troublesome to locate the supposed culprit.
"The letter is asking us to pursue an investigation," Purdue spokesman Steve Tally said in a statement. "As the service provider, we don't see that as our role."
It is not a university's job to inquire into or enforce copyright laws, nor is it a school's responsibility to dole out punishment for violation of the same.
"As chancellor, I must stress that downloading and sharing copyrighted material online without permission is unethical and illegal," O'Keefe said.
While this may be true, "as chancellor," O'Keefe should be concerned with protecting the rights of his students first and foremost. Cooperating with the RIAA's new scare tactic would be doing just the opposite.
----- Bryan may or may not use LimeWire. Contact him at bgoldberger@lsureveille.com
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