Students violating University policy on illegal downloading said they wish they were educated sooner but think the infractions are resolved.

Since spring, more than 150 students were identified and informed by the University of their illegal downloading activity – some are facing the threat of legal action by the Recording Industry Association of America.

RIAA contacts the University with a violating Internet Protocol address. The University matches the IP address with a student on the server. Once identified by the University, the student is notified of the violation and given a letter from RIAA. The letter encourages the student to settle before legal measures are taken.

One student found using peer-to-peer software said educational programs prior to infractions would deter students from engaging in the activity.

“It’d be a good idea because everyone can know what they can and can’t do,” said a student, who received a letter and signed an informal resolution with the Office of Judicial Programs not to download music illegally.

Stephen Shewmaker, executive director of the Office of Legal Affairs, said plans are on the table to inform students about illegal downloading during orientation sessions.

During briefing with the OJP, the student said he was told to remove music from the shared folders. He was told the University encourages downloading but not in a shared folder.

He said he felt if he went through briefing initially, he would not have gotten into trouble.

Following informal resolution, another student said she was reprimanded only by the University.

The female found in violation of the computer use policy said she stopped downloading once informed. When asked if she thought RIAA would proceed with charges against her, the student said she thinks the matter has been resolved.

She received notice from the RIAA after an informal hearing, but she does not think the University hands names to RIAA.

According to documents obtained by The Red & Black, the majority of the cases stem from dorms. Students receiving notification were mostly freshmen.

In some cases, the student is notified of the violation, goes through the campus judicial program and after receives a letter from the RIAA. In other cases, students are notified of both a University infraction and the RIAA’s pursuit of settlement terms.

Those interviewed said they thought situations were resolved following a University informal hearing.

Shewmaker said the University is merely a conduit of information, letting students know RIAA discovered their IP address downloaded files without paying. However, the University does not inform students the RIAA has not connected names to the IP address.

While students settled the matter of computer use violation at a University level, the possible ramifications have not ended. Downloading and sharing files is also illegal.

The RIAA seeks settlements in copyright infringement cases and threatens impending lawsuits if no terms are met. According to an RIAA communications representative, settlements average $3,000 to $5,000.

RIAA, once able to contact the person connected with the violating IP address, can file a lawsuit against the individual.

Other universities act differently and do not forward RIAA letters to students. At George Washington University, a student is challenging the RIAA’s subpoena for names on the grounds it does not have the authority to intrude on privacy and anonymity.

Others, such as the University of Oregon, ignore the letters.