Napster, Gnutella, iMesh, CuteMX file-sharing applications like these are sprouting up everywhere. They're designed to let people easily exchange music, movies, videos and other files over the Internet. But they're not as harmless as they might seem. Their use raises important issues regarding copyright law, network traffic and security.
Sharing copyrighted files is illegal
File-sharing applications have been widely implicated as tools that violate copyright laws. Providing or obtaining copyrighted files (music, movies, videos, text, etc.) without permission violates the U.S. Copyright Act and several university policies.
For instance, creating MP3 (music) files from a copyright-protected CD and making them available on the Internet is illegal. So is downloading those files. Some artists do allow their works to be freely copied, but they're very much the exception. You should assume that all works have copyright protection unless they explicitly state otherwise.
"It is extremely important to respect the intellectual property rights of others. Colleges and universities are in a good position to play a leadership role in educating the online community about copyright law," said Margie Hodges Shaw, policy adviser in the Office of Information Technologies. "In addition to education, we need to make sure we enforce our institutional policies. Cornell takes allegations of copyright infringement seriously and will not tolerate illegal activities on our networks."
If the university is notified that a Cornell community member is violating copyright laws, it will take action against that person in accordance with university policy. Individuals and/or entities who violate copyright laws also risk having lawsuits brought against them, as happened recently at Yale University, Indiana University and the University of Southern California.
File-sharing applications can slow down networks
Gnutella, Napster and other file-sharing applications typically let you set up your computer so that other people can access whichever files you choose to make available. In other words, your computer becomes a server.
Having your personal computer act as a server can burden Cornell's networks. So much network traffic can be generated that it adversely affects performance for other people who share the same local network. Viewing web pages or getting e-mail might take longer, for example, or the network could go down.
Cornell routinely monitors network usage patterns. Interfering with the ability of others to use network services violates university policy and can result in termination of access to university network services.
Currently, usage of file-sharing applications is most widespread in the university's Residence Hall Network Service (ResNet). ResNet is monitoring the situation and, as needed to maintain network integrity, will take action with individuals whose network usage is excessive.
Computer servers may face greater security risks
Setting up your computer as a server can open a security hole for malicious people to your entire computer. Hackers can steal files, erase your hard drive, plant viruses or use your computer in an attack on someone else. Because file-sharing applications differ in how much security they offer, it is important to educate yourself and exercise caution.
Some file-sharing applications, like Napster, let you choose whether to turn your computer into a server. Others, such as Gnutella, make it a server by default. Because the setup instructions can be vague, unless you take the time to understand how a particular file-sharing application works, you may not even realize you've set up your computer as a server.
Related university policies
Details on Cornell's policies and procedures can be found in "Information Technologies Rights and Responsibilities" http://www.cornell.edu/Computer/responsible-use/ and in "Responsible Use of Electronic Communications" http://www.univco.cornell.edu/policy/RU.html.
Suspected violations of policy should be directed to abuse@cornell.edu.
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