From CIT Wiki
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Applications
In this context, refer to file-sharing applications such as Napster, Ares, BitTorrent, DirectConnect, eDonkey2000, FastTrack, Grokster, Gnutella, LimeWire, Morpheus, Sheraza, TrustyFiles, (you get the idea).
While it is possible to obtain and distribute files with these applications in a legal manner, they are notoriously used to distribute software, music and video prodictions in violation of copyright laws. Don't share copyrighted materials!
Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven by the copyright owner, that amount may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. In addition, an infringer of a work may also be liable for the attorney's fees incurred by the copyright owner to enforce his or her rights.
Oberlin College receives notifications of violations of copyright authority from the RIAA, MPAA, and ISDA, to name a few. Once we receive such notification, we are required to remove the offending material from network access, which equates to disabling network access for the computer involved.
Students determined to be involved in these copyright violations will have their network access disabled for a minimum period of one month, or the end of the semester, whichever comes first. Network access will only be re-enabled after the student sends (via email) a written report to the Director of Information Technology confirming that he/she has taken appropriate action to effectively terminate the illegal sharing of media files. Students involved in repeated incidents will have their network access disabled for an indefinite period and will be referred to a judicial coordinator for possible Judicial Board action. Faculty or staff involved in such incidents will have their network access disabled until the material is removed from network access and will be referred to their applicable Department Head for further adjudication.
DO NOT download files using P2P file-sharing programs unless you have received the proper approval from the copyright owner.
P2P applications also have a detrimental effect on our network, as they often are aggressive consumers of network bandwidth. For that reason, we limit the amount of available bandwidth used by these applications, for downloads and especially for uploads. Please, if you must use P2P applications, be mindful of the impact such use has on your neighbors.
