2008 Woodie Awards
UMS refuses to hand student info to RIAA
Tony Reaves
Issue date: 3/26/07 Section: News
"The only way the RIAA can get that information is if the RIAA takes us to court to get those names," Diamond said.
According to Jon Ippolito, a UMaine new media professor and associate curator of media arts at the Guggenheim Museum, the university has taken a principled stance.
"[The RIAA] have so many lawyers that they can afford to send frivolous subpoenas right and left, and the mere threat to do so has caused some universities to cave right away," said Ippolito, an expert on digital media.
On Thursday, Ippolito sent a letter to the university system urging administrators not to reveal students' identities to the RIAA.
Ippolito said the practice of subpoenaing universities won't necessarily hold water in court, and was critical of the RIAA's newest tactics with colleges, a policy he called "mafia-like."
"They want to bully universities into exposing students and also bully students directly into signing onto a discount," Ippolito said. "There's no legal process and that's the end of the story."
According to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a 1998 bill meant to protect copyrighted material in the digital age, the university is not responsible for copyright violations on its network. The university system needs only to make sure students delete any copyrighted works found by an outside agency such as the RIAA.
According to Jon Ippolito, a UMaine new media professor and associate curator of media arts at the Guggenheim Museum, the university has taken a principled stance.
"[The RIAA] have so many lawyers that they can afford to send frivolous subpoenas right and left, and the mere threat to do so has caused some universities to cave right away," said Ippolito, an expert on digital media.
On Thursday, Ippolito sent a letter to the university system urging administrators not to reveal students' identities to the RIAA.
Ippolito said the practice of subpoenaing universities won't necessarily hold water in court, and was critical of the RIAA's newest tactics with colleges, a policy he called "mafia-like."
"They want to bully universities into exposing students and also bully students directly into signing onto a discount," Ippolito said. "There's no legal process and that's the end of the story."
According to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a 1998 bill meant to protect copyrighted material in the digital age, the university is not responsible for copyright violations on its network. The university system needs only to make sure students delete any copyrighted works found by an outside agency such as the RIAA.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
Proud to be a Mainer
posted 3/27/07 @ 2:04 PM EST
I'm proud to be a Mainer. Attaboy UMaine! Way to stand up to the thugs!
b-a-x
posted 3/27/07 @ 2:09 PM EST
Finally a voice of reason and logic. Let's stop and hold the RIAA right here, and let them realize that what they're doing is wrong. Just because you can't play the game anymore doesn't let you cheat in attempts to win. (Continued…)
Nicolaos Lemieux
posted 3/27/07 @ 2:55 PM EST
Hehe, I do live in Maine, that is good news.
James Cooper
posted 3/27/07 @ 4:13 PM EST
As a senior undergrad, I would like to thank UMS for showing the discretion that is afforded to and expected of them.
Too many organizations are willing to give up their rights, and make themselves legally liable, all to avoid potential conflict with the RIAA. (Continued…)
Keith Perkins
posted 3/27/07 @ 6:22 PM EST
Hurray for my alma mater. Some one needs to stand up to these music industry bullies, who have been getting more and more out of control.
Pitzel
posted 3/27/07 @ 7:15 PM EST
That's great. Go Maine. The RIAA aren't the worst company of the year for nothing. Bunch of thugs can't just come to Maine and start throwing their weight around. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 3/27/07 @ 8:06 PM EST
Way to go Maine! You guys seem to make the BEST decisions. First fine those that smoke with children in the car and now standing up for your students against the dwindling powers of the RIAA. (Continued…)
zi
posted 3/28/07 @ 12:01 AM EST
Way to go UMS! More and more people and institutions need to stand up to the RIAA's bullying. They're so despicable as to sue even 10 year old girls, single moms on welfare, stroke victims, and worse. (Continued…)
Chip Stephens
posted 3/28/07 @ 7:32 PM EST
Well done administration! The example of not kowtowing to RIAA should be saluted nation wide This alumni of the 70's is a proud Black Bear ! ! !
Yuzle!
posted 4/22/07 @ 6:56 PM EST
they are getting more money suing people than they do selling their cds.
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