Since last spring, Information Technology Services has seen a significant decrease in illegal file sharing problems.
“There were times when we would see between 30 and 40 per month,” said James Huval, security analyst. “Now we see between zero and two.”
Students may not realize all of the technicalities surrounding illegal file sharing.
Huval said the problem stems from how many Digital Millennium Copyright Act complaints the University receives. This act, passed in 1998, implements a policy defining illegal file sharing as an instance which copyrighted material is shared without permission.
“Even if you own it and share it, that still is not within the legal definition of file sharing,” Huval said.
According to ITS, copyright holders and their representative organizations often monitor devices sharing their material. When these third parties discover users conducting illegal activity over the University’s network, they send the University a DMCA complaint.
“Torrenting is probably the number one source for our complaints,” Huval said.
The University is required to investigate all DMCA complaints. Huval said each investigation calls for the attention of at least three security analysts.
“It tends to cost the university a lot of money,” Huval said.
Huval said downloads will not adversely impact the University network’s bandwidth.
However, if the University were to experience an influx of complaints similar to last spring, more ITS employees would have to devote their energy to working on those, rather than more University relevant developments, said Sheri Thompson, IT Communications and Planning officer.
As far as consequences for students, they will have restricted network access for their devices after their first offense. First-time culprits will also have to complete an illegal file sharing Moodle course and quiz, along with completing a DMCA incident report.
Second-time offenders will face harsher terms. In addition to restricted network access, they may face a $50 fine, note on their academic record, hold placement on their myLSU account and a reference to the Dean of Students Office for violating the Student Code of Conduct.
Huval said the second offense is assessed by the Office of Advocacy and Accountability.
Thompson advised students against illegal file sharing, as there are easier, more legal means to access files online.
“If you want to listen to music, use Spotify,” Thompson said.
Huval said numbers report websites like Spotify have reduced the problem for the music industry, but the movie industry is still trying to catch up.
“There were times when we would see between 30 and 40 per month … now we see between zero and two.”