Downloaders of music could face consequences

To the Editors:

Please read this very important notice about the possible consequences of using your computer to illegally download or upload copyrighted music or movie files over the Oberlin College network. This is a serious issue. The unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material is a federal crime.

In recent weeks, the Recording Industry of America Association, Inc. and similar organizations have increased their investigation and actions against individuals who are found to violate copyright law of recorded music and other digital media. Students at several campuses in North America have been arrested and/or disciplined for sharing music and video files. The most recent actions include the filing of lawsuits a few weeks ago against students at Princeton University, Michigan Tech., and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The lawsuits are asking for $150,000 for EACH of the copyright violations (i.e., for each recording).

Oberlin College’s Policy for the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (available at: http://www.oberlin.edu/cit/docs/general/policy.html) states: “the Center for Information Technology (CIT) will not knowingly allow use of its resources for the illegal copying of digital media. Note: U.S. Copyright Law protects copyright owners from the unauthorized reproduction, adaptation, or distribution of sound recordings, including the unauthorized use of copyrighted mp3 files.”

Be aware of the very serious College and/or federal consequences that you may incur should you be found to violate copyright. Specifically, you could: lose computing privileges; be disconnected from the network; be subject to Oberlin College judicial board action; and face possible prosecution under applicable civil or criminal laws.

Do not download or share unauthorized copyrighted music or video files over the network! If you have questions about this matter, please contact us at:
john.bucher@oberlin.edu.

—John E. Bucher
Director of Information Technology
—Grover Zinn
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Chair
Copyright Committee