Peer 2 Peer Sharing (P2P)

From TechHelp - MCLA's Technology Help Center

P2P Sharing and Property Rights

MCLA network users, like users in colleges across the nation, use various flavors of Peer to Peer (P2P) sharing software. P2P products range from general purpose products like Windows built-in networking to the Gnutella network and AOL Instant Messenger file transfers. While file sharing programs are convenient tools with many useful applications, they are often used to illegally distribute copyrighted materials.

The entertainment industry is very serious about enforcing its rights as evidenced by letters such as this one received by the MCLA President's Office. The recording industry has also sought measures to enforce its rights as shown in this news article which outlines the RIAA's copyright suit against four university students.

All users are reminded that MCLA's Network Policy explicitly mentions their responsibility to observe copyright and other applicable licensing restrictions.