YOU AND COPYRIGHT, FILE SHARING, AND PEER TO PEER APPLICATIONS
File sharing and peer to peer programs have enhanced digital media availability and distribution. Trends in the use of these
programs to share music, video and other files have attracted the attention of copyright owners. Media coverage documents
the attempts of the copyright owners to assert their rights regarding the distribution of intellectual property.
Colleges and universities have been a popular location to seek those who are infringing on copyright regulations. Campus environments
provide access to computers and high speed Internet resources. They also attract a community that tends to be technically
savvy in which a large portion of the population has limited monetary means to obtain the music and video resources desired.
While the use of file sharing and peer-to-peer programs is not illegal, their use to download or distribute material without
the permission of the copyright owner is a legal violation!
If you use file sharing or peer-to-peer programs you should know:
- When file sharing or peer-to-peer programs are installed, they may use the computer as a server to automatically start serving
shared files. This may take place or remain active without the owner's knowledge during the time the computer is connected
to the network.
- File sharing and peer-to-peer programs may be used to share personal or private information stored on your hard drive.
- File sharing and peer-to-peer programs may provide a means for spyware to be installed to track your network use.
- Most materials on the Web are copyrighted and current law does not require formal notice in order to ensure protection.
- Downloading or distributing material without permission of the copyright owner is a legal violation.
- It is each user's responsibility to ensure that the file sharing programs used provide legal access to the resources provided.
ITS security staff daily receives notices regarding alleged copyright infringement occurring on the BGSU network. Each notice
requires action by the security staff. Upon receiving bona fide notification, the following steps are taken:
- For University students, the complaint will be logged and forwarded to Student/Judicial Affairs for action.
- For administrative areas, the complaint will be logged and then forwarded to the area supervisor.
It is important to note that the University does not make any determination as to whether or not copyright infringement has
actually occurred. Any disagreement or dispute is between the individual and the copyright owner.
BGSU urges everyone in its community to abide by the ITS network policies and to copy or share files in a legal and responsible
manner. Thank you for your consideration and attention to this important matter.
Further information is available at the ITS Security website. Any questions on this topic may be directed to the Technology Support Center (TSC), tsc@bgnet.bgsu.edu, 419-372-0999.
The January 2004 issue of Connect, the CIO's newsletter, contains an article by Kent Strickland, BGSU information security officer, regarding information security
measures.
You and Information Security
by Kent Strickland, BGSU information security officer
Connect January 2004
Information is a valuable commodity. The increasing sophistication of computer technology and the Internet makes acquiring
information easier than ever before. The "gold rush" of information that is now available has given many individuals, businesses,
and governments competitive advantages.
However, individuals have also become more vulnerable during this vast exchange of information. This is evident by the nationwide
increase in identity theft reports. Legislatures have stepped in with numerous new laws designed to protect information on
behalf on consumers. Examples of these new laws are the Privacy Act of 1974, FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act),
GLB (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and DMCA (Digital Millennium
Copyright Act of 1998).
Who needs to be concerned with University and federal regulations about protecting the confidentiality and privacy of computer
data? Anyone who
- handles electronic information,
- operates/administers systems,
- writes applications,
- specifies/purchases technology products,
- manages projects,
- and/or negotiates contracts.
I recommend that everyone at BGSU become familiar with legislation protecting electronic information by visiting www.bgsu.edu/infosec/compliance
