3/20/2006: Legal Alternatives to Illegal File Sharing

As part of UCLA's ongoing commitment to address illegal file sharing on campus, we ask that all members of the UCLA community remain vigilant to avoid uploading or downloading copyrighted music, movies and other digital materials to which one does not have legal access. We are also pleased to announce new legal online entertainment services for the campus community set to launch this spring quarter.

The risks of illegal file sharing are ubiquitous. Regardless of where it occurs - on the global Internet, on UCLA's network or on the national research and education network Internet2 - the trading of copyrighted materials without permission from the copyright holders is prohibited by federal law. There is little the University can do to protect individuals accused of such actions. Last summer, five UCLA students learned this firsthand when they were sued for illegal file sharing by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Fortunately, no such legal actions have been initiated against UCLA faculty or staff.

There are many legitimate applications of file sharing software and networks, and academic research on such peer-to-peer applications is expanding rapidly. The University will continue to take appropriate steps to ensure that such legitimate applications remain unimpeded and to balance all needs fundamental to our institution.

UCLA is also pleased to announce the launch of low-cost online music and video services to the campus community in the spring quarter. Three vendors - iTunes, CDigix, and Mindawn - have been selected with input from faculty, staff and students. We encourage you to explore these services as an ideal means of acquiring digital entertainment while avoiding the risks, viruses and malware associated with illegal file sharing. For an introduction to this program, see the Daily Bruin online article. Visit http://www.getlegal.ucla.edu for complete details.

If you have questions about these new entertainment services, please contact Jonathan Curtiss, Manager, Technology Development, Student and Campus Life, at jcurtiss@saonet.ucla.edu or (310) 206-1769.

For questions about information technology policies, please contact Kent Wada, Director, IT Policy, at kent@ucla.edu or (310)206-3874.