Students who rely on file sharing networks might soon be losing their software, thanks to the wave of lawsuits against companies that provide such services.
Last Monday, Sharman Networks -- owner of popular file sharing software Kazaa -- lost an 18-month legal battle in the Australian court.
The court ruled Kazaa illegal based on Australian copyright laws, as the Recording Industry Association of America called the ruling a "global victory for legitimate online music services," in an official statement by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mitch Bainwol.
"This decision reflects a growing, international chorus: Those who promote theft can be held accountable no matter how they may attempt to escape responsibility," Bainwol added, referring to the Supreme Court's ruling last June that raised the liability of peer-to-peer file sharing software like LimeWire and Morpheus in numerous pending lawsuits.
This might raise concern in the Penn community, where every month the University turns over at least 20 to 30 names of illegal downloaders to the RIAA for investigation.
Moreover, Penn has recently launched the NetReg system -- which makes it easier to identify the identity of illegal downloaders, according to University Information Security Officer David Millar.
However, Law professor Kermit Roosevelt said that this ruling will not have a significant impact on bringing illegal downloading to an end.
"There is a long history trying to protect copyrighters against new technologies. Basically the new technologies always win," Roosevelt said.
Whereas before there used to be a centralized system such as Napster, from which users could download files, software such as Kazaa allow users to exchange files directly.
"This peer-to-peer system has made it harder on the copyrighters ... The technology will keep on evolving and the law will not be able to keep up. ... They will not be able to stop" illegal downloading, Roosevelt added.
Though the University takes no responsibility over those who download illegally, there are efforts under way looking into legal options for students who share music.
College sophomores and Undergraduate Assembly members Jason Karsh and Sunny Patel had proposed setting up a music service for students last fall.
According to Karsh, they are still assessing their options and will be holding meetings with the administration regarding the matter.
The music service could cost students around $2 per month, but the files will be systematically "tethered" in that they won't get saved in student's individual computers.
"You won't be able to put [the music] in your iPods," Karsh said.
"Nothing is certain right now. It could be up and running by spring 2006 -- but there is no certainty," he added.
