Warning for Anyone Running Filesharing Software & Sharing Copyrighted Files
If you happen to be one of those file sharing fans with all sorts of copyrighted material that we're not supposed to know about on your home computer or laptop, please beware when you connect to our network, including the VPN.
When you connect to our VPN or laptop network, your home computer (or laptop) becomes part of the Maseeh College network. If you have any P2P ("Person-to-Person") file sharing program enabled on your system, the sharing appears to be coming from PSU's network.
Universities Are Frequent Targets of Legal Action against File Sharers
The RIAA/ MPAA (recording and motion picture industry associations) legalbots tend to enforce alleged .edu located infractions rather aggressively. This is usually because Universities tend to have high bandwidth Internet connections, tech-savvy students tend to be at the forefront of file downloading, students usually don't have the resources to mount legal challenges AND Universities tend to enforce their acceptable use policies rather strictly.
So, please DO NOT have any file sharing stuff running when you connect to our networks. Your chance of getting fingered in a DMCA take-down notice is high. And with the first John Doe lawsuit hitting PSU, you may also have an excellent chance of becoming one of the newest poster boys for the RIAA/MPAA's war on piracy.
PSU/Maseeh College Must Comply with Take-down Notices
If you are fingered in a take-down notice, we have to comply. This can result in your access being curtailed while we sort things out. And in the event of a lawsuit, the University may be forced to reveal your identity to the RIAA/MPAA.
Do not take any chances. Turn this stuff off.
Some Activities that Will Get You in Trouble
- Running P2P file-sharing applications for sharing copyrighted files on computers in research labs and offices
- Running P2P file-sharing applications for sharing copyrighted files on computers in CAT-supported Maseeh College Labs
- Locking a lab terminal to run P2P downloads of copyrighted materials and then leaving computers (thereby both using them for nefarious purposes and preventing others from using them for legitimate schoolwork)
- Installing questionable/nefarious P2P applications on lab computers or in your home directory -- these tend to be vectors for spam, virus, and spyware infections
A Final Word
Please note that, at the moment, P2P software is not illegal. Downloading copyrighted files that you have no rights to is illegal. However, P2P software is often a path through which all kinds of nasty malware (viruses and spyware) get installed on computers. Our sysadmins don't look kindly on having to remove this junk, so it's best not to install it in the first place.
Our goal here is to prevent you from getting nailed by the legal commandoes of the RIAA/MPAA and to reduce the amount of enforcement and cleanup we have to deal with along those lines.
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