October 15, 2007
Purdue starts notifying network users of all copyright allegations
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University on Monday (Oct. 15) began sending notifications to its network users who have allegedly downloaded or shared copyrighted materials illegally.The university receives more than 3,000 such allegations each year from various groups, including the movie and music industries as well as other software vendors. About half are from the movie industry. Any student who receives three warnings will be required to appear before the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, part of the Office of the Dean of Students.
"Unlike the letters generated recently by the Recording Industry Association of America, these are not notices that legal action is pending," said Scott Ksander, executive director of information technology networks and security at Purdue "We are just alerting network users that one of these outside groups has reported alleged illegal activity to us.
"This is a matter of informing students for their own protection. We are not required to do this but feel it is in the student's best interest to know."
The university's letter states: "At this time, the University will take no further action against you and no response to this letter ... is required. However, you are reminded that copyright owners and their designated agents may pursue legal action against you in order to protect their copyright."
The warnings are generated after a complainant supplies the university with a time, date and Internet address at which the alleged violation occurred. The university then matches that information with the individual logged on at that location.
Each complaint takes 10-15 minutes to process for identification, Ksander said.
"We've improved our techniques for matching users with the Internet addresses, significantly reducing the time needed to track down the alleged violators, and we expect to automate the process soon," he said.
"This is a reminder that we are not 'anonymous' when we use the Internet," said L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students. "Individuals are putting themselves at risk if they are illegally downloading or sharing copyrighted material. Our efforts are intended to help recipients avoid potential litigation."
To learn more about copyright law, university policy and the university's commitment to protecting intellectual property rights, visit https://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue/copyright.cfm.
Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Source: Scott Ksander, ksander@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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