p2pnet - rss feed: Ohio University caves in to RIAA
p2pnet.net news:- Ohio University, the worst hit in the RIAA attacks on American students, says it’s “restricting” the use of all p2p file-sharing on the campus computer network.
For restricting read ’spying”
Starting at 12:01 today (April 27), “the university will begin monitoring its network for P2P file sharing activity and disabling Internet access for computers found in violation of the new policy,” says an OU notice, going on:
Once disabled, a computer’s Internet access will remain off until its user contacts the IT Service Desk (740-593-1222) and agrees to abide by the university’s computer and network use policy. A second violation will result in Internet access being disabled again and a referral to University Judiciaries if a student is in violation or to the appropriate administrator if an employee is involved.
“The network is a shared resource, and we must ensure that it is available to all users,” states cto Brice Bible. “Peer-to-peer file-sharing consumes a disproportionate amount of resources, both in bandwidth and human technical support.”
Trying to deal with non-stop Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) attacks also consumes a disproportionate amount of legal resources. In fact, “The university estimates staff members have spent nearly 120 hours dealing with the prelitigation letters from the RIAA,” it admits.
Presumably to justify the move, OU also implies p2p use is mostly illegal.
“Although P2P file-sharing can sometimes be used for legitimate reasons, any use of P2P software on the campus network may result in Internet access being disabled under this new policy,” it states. “Individuals who need to use P2P software for legitimate purposes can discuss their needs with the IT Service Desk.”
Adds the notice:
[the] announcement follows the recent crackdown by the Recording Industry Association of America on illegal music downloading. The RIAA sent more than 1,200 prelitigation letters to colleges and universities, including 100 to Ohio University. It also initiated ‘John Doe’ lawsuits against users of computers on Ohio University’s network.
“Left unchecked, P2P applications can consume all available network bandwidth,” says Bible. “In fact this happened at Ohio University years ago when the original Napster file-sharing program became widely available.”
Last month the Center for Student Legal Services was looking for lawyers willing to help deal with the mounting RIAA assaults against the OU student body.
Also See:
highlighted - Tanya ups the ante in RIAA case, April 25, 2007
mounting RIAA assaults - RIAA Ohio student attacks, March 9, 2007
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Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
April 26th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
That just makes it harder for other universities to fight the RIAA!
April 26th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
So dl’ing linux distros and game patches is banned cause the method of dl can be used to obtain copyright material….. hmmm guess someone will have to protest the use of web browsers cause child porn might be viewed, the same for ftp, ….
April 26th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I’m an OU student and after reading this, I will be crippled. I am one of those who is constantly on the torrent scene to download legally free games, linux distros etc.
I admit, I would download, every now and then, a piece of software or something but it would 9-10 times prompt me to purchase the game or software I downloaded.
Is there any kind of “masking” software that would be able to hide my torrent actions (making it look like a web browser or chat client to the server admins)? Maybe there’s a torrent client out there that doesn’t show up as a torrent client on the web? I only use it once or twice a month at most and would just like to continue in some LEGAL file sharing communities…
Ohio University is under a lot of other guff for taking things away from students and alumni, if they keep this up, the university will cease to exist…
April 26th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
.. the number you need to call to have an alllowance for p2p is listed.
So if you do use this inovative distribution technology for lawfull purposes only like downloading 3 gigs cc music from some festivals in the US or linux distros, DEMAND that they will unblock your access if they shut it off tomorrow.
If you are 100% sure you use it only lawfull and they refuse to unblock them, give them hell!
Students sue for stupid t-shirts and such. so what?!
April 27th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Universities depend on alumni donations to supplement their budget. I would recommend organizing a student and alumni petition pledging not to give any donations until the policy is repealed. If you can manage to get a whole lot of signatures then perhaps the school might rethink their current strategy. The key would be to reach out to alumni who have donated already and the outgoing seniors who will be hit up in a matter of months. I wish you the best of luck with this and sincerely hope that you can influence them to be more reasonable and protective of their students and their ability to make use of legitimate p2p applications.
April 27th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Using the school net for personal stuff is a bit like using your employers’ net. Even if you are not breaking any laws, they will eventually react to your use and probably call it abuse. Yes it sucks but its gonna be like that for the rest of your life so treat this as a learning experience. Best is to somehow get a connection independent of the school, maybe at your apt if you dont live in the dorm. Failing that, spring for a news server. Even pricy giganews is only 25 bucks a month. Split it with somebody you get along with. You can dl just about anything from usenet thats on the torrents. I think OSU could have set a better example by standing up to the bullies but they didnt and rather than agonise about it, just use an alternative method. Hopefully the net nazis haven’t banned usenet as well.
April 27th, 2007 at 10:41 am
State of Ohio = nazis to begin with, anyway. Ohio is where Diebold is based. Remember ‘how’ DUmBYA got into the ‘presidency’?
If you’re a registered voter in the US just make DOUBLE sure you don’t vote for any Presidential Candidate who comes from Ohio!!! That means from ANY ‘party’!
August 30th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Oh, please. Ohio University is located in Athens, Ohio. In Athens, we don’t vote Republican. Don’t even go there.