In response to
the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Salisbury University (SU) has
developed the following plan to deter illegal file sharing.
Technology-based deterrents
Salisbury University utilizes
bandwidth shaping technology to deter illegal file sharing. Specifically, SU
uses two Blue Coat’s model “Packet Shaper 10000” devices, to severely limit bandwidth
available to peer to peer application. In the residence halls we use a Network
Access Controller (NAC) drop connections of all recognized peer to peer
applications.
Semi-annual disclosure and Education Program
SU
utilizes a three pronged approach to educating students in this area.
1.
The university has
developed a web site which explains the university’s position on illegal file
sharing and the unauthorized use of all copyrighted material. This web site
also notes legal alternatives and explains the possible penalties.
http://www.salisbury.edu/camptech/Pandora%201.html
2.
SU will produce an
educational video which address the issue. The video will be played over the
campus cable television channels several days per year. This will be ready for
use in September 2010.
3.
SU will distribute an
email during the first week of each semester to all students noting the campus
policy and directing them to the related web site. SU will also post posters
regarding illegal downloading at key locations on campus at the start of each
semester.
Reviewing Effectiveness
·
The effectiveness of the
SU plan to combat illegal file sharing will be measured by the number if Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA) or Motion Picture Association of America
(MPAA) infringement notifications received each year.
·
SU asks students to
complete an annual technology survey. Two questions will be added to focus on
the extent students are engaged in illegal file sharing and which legal music/video
services they use. Comparative statistics will be analyzed annually to guide
future efforts to combat illegal filing sharing.
Alternative Online Sources for Copyrighted materials
Music services
-
Pandora
-
Apple iTunes
-
Rhapsody
-
eMusic
-
MP3.com
Video Services
-
Atomfilms
-
CinemaNow
-
MovieFlix
-
Movielink
-
Netflix
Statement
regarding civil and criminal liabilities
Violating copyright law
is a serious offense. If you use a university computer, or even your own
computer on campus, to download copyrighted materials you have violated the
university computer acceptable use policy and the student code of conduct. These
offenses will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs. Illegal downloading of copyrighted materials is
punishable by the revoking of network use privileges and/or additional action
by the University Judicial Board.
The RIAA or the MPAA SU may contact
the university receive two different types of notices, a "take down"
and "preservation". SU receives about 1-2 notices a year. A take down
notice is a communication that asks the university to notify an individual to
stop sharing copyrighted materials.
A preservation notice alerts the
university to a forthcoming subpoena that may be served. The subpoena asks the
university to provide identifying information about a user of our network who
has infringed copyrighted materials. Sometimes, following the preservation
notice and prior to the subpoena, an early settlement letter is sent to the
university from the copyright holder asking that it be forwarded to the
individual infringing on the copyright. This allows the individual to work with
the copyright holder to resolve the dispute before going through the legal
system. In some cases settlements have been as much as $3000. In some cases the
RIAA or MPAA will take additional legal action against offenders and the fines
can be considerably more.

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