TimmyHM.U.S.T Cripples Illegal Downloading
June 5th 2008 09:20
The Missouri University of Science and Technology now requires students to complete a six-question pop quiz on digital copyright law in order to obtain six hours of access to peer-to-peer software that they can use to share music and movies online.
The quiz has cut copyright complaints on campus from the recording industry to less than 5% of their levels during the '06/'07 academic year.
Although peer to peer sharing is still allowed, information is provided to students to help them make informed decisions. Students who violate copyright law could lose their Internet privileges or face fines, community service, extra research assignments or suspension from classes.
Universities that fail to stop repeat copyright offenders are subject to legal ramifications. Violations of the Digital Milennium Copyright Act draw heavy lawsuits from the recording industry, which can cost thousands of dollars, even in settlements.
Most schools have sought to end their copyright obligations by eliminating peer to peer software from their campuses. This has been a problem for academic as well, who regularly use the service to share data. Although most universities have toughened penalties for breaches of the Copyright Act, M.U.S.T is at present the only school in the US that forces students to take the test in advance of receiving internet downloading software.
Repeat offenders at schools like Stanford are charged $500 to re-connect to their internet service if found to be breaking the law.
Recording Industry Association of America has applauded the efforts of M.U.S.T in teaching students about copyright laws. A spokesman said that the program
"What we've found here the most effective way to allow file sharing and still prevent the misuse of campus networks in the first place."
The sceme is expected to be extended into the general community soon.
The quiz has cut copyright complaints on campus from the recording industry to less than 5% of their levels during the '06/'07 academic year.
Although peer to peer sharing is still allowed, information is provided to students to help them make informed decisions. Students who violate copyright law could lose their Internet privileges or face fines, community service, extra research assignments or suspension from classes.
Universities that fail to stop repeat copyright offenders are subject to legal ramifications. Violations of the Digital Milennium Copyright Act draw heavy lawsuits from the recording industry, which can cost thousands of dollars, even in settlements.
Most schools have sought to end their copyright obligations by eliminating peer to peer software from their campuses. This has been a problem for academic as well, who regularly use the service to share data. Although most universities have toughened penalties for breaches of the Copyright Act, M.U.S.T is at present the only school in the US that forces students to take the test in advance of receiving internet downloading software.
Repeat offenders at schools like Stanford are charged $500 to re-connect to their internet service if found to be breaking the law.
Recording Industry Association of America has applauded the efforts of M.U.S.T in teaching students about copyright laws. A spokesman said that the program
"What we've found here the most effective way to allow file sharing and still prevent the misuse of campus networks in the first place."
The sceme is expected to be extended into the general community soon.
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