2008 Woodie Awards
GSS seeks to limit RIAA access to data
SG asks IT to delete identifiable info
Ben Hatt
Issue date: 12/13/07 Section: News
The General Student Senate (GSS) tackled a broad spectrum of business at a meeting overshadowed by the resignation of former Student Government President William Pomerleau.
The senate approved a resolution they said will help protect students from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) harassment. Two additional resolutions passed, one making amendments to the constitution and one to reform the Student Government (UMSG) election process.
The resolution, proposed by Vice President of Student Entertainment Derek Mitchell, will change the method in which the Information Technology Center stores student's online history. This would restrict the RIAA's access to data on students using the campus internet.
The RIAA has been pursuing financial settlements with students they allege are guilty of illegally sharing copyrighted materials, usually through file-sharing services like LimeWire.
The senate resolution calls for a change in the university's data management structure - the manner that the IT Center distributes internet addresses - requesting an alteration in how often a student's IP address is renewed.
The University of Maine's current policy supplies students with a single address for an entire academic year, making it possible for the RIAA to subpoena records of student's online actions, including Web sites visited and files downloaded. Under the new resolution, a student will receive a new IP address periodically throughout the year. Because no records of the IP addresses would be kept, there would be limited information available in the case of a subpoena, which senators said would help to protect students from RIAA prosecution.
"The RIAA's underhanded tactics have cost students across the country thousands and thousands - potentially millions - of dollars. UMaine needs to act to prevent this from happening to our fellow students," Mitchell said.
Mitchell described the policies that other institution's have developed to protect students such as regulations that help to impede the RIAA's persistent monitoring.
The senate approved a resolution they said will help protect students from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) harassment. Two additional resolutions passed, one making amendments to the constitution and one to reform the Student Government (UMSG) election process.
The resolution, proposed by Vice President of Student Entertainment Derek Mitchell, will change the method in which the Information Technology Center stores student's online history. This would restrict the RIAA's access to data on students using the campus internet.
The RIAA has been pursuing financial settlements with students they allege are guilty of illegally sharing copyrighted materials, usually through file-sharing services like LimeWire.
The senate resolution calls for a change in the university's data management structure - the manner that the IT Center distributes internet addresses - requesting an alteration in how often a student's IP address is renewed.
The University of Maine's current policy supplies students with a single address for an entire academic year, making it possible for the RIAA to subpoena records of student's online actions, including Web sites visited and files downloaded. Under the new resolution, a student will receive a new IP address periodically throughout the year. Because no records of the IP addresses would be kept, there would be limited information available in the case of a subpoena, which senators said would help to protect students from RIAA prosecution.
"The RIAA's underhanded tactics have cost students across the country thousands and thousands - potentially millions - of dollars. UMaine needs to act to prevent this from happening to our fellow students," Mitchell said.
Mitchell described the policies that other institution's have developed to protect students such as regulations that help to impede the RIAA's persistent monitoring.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
ryan
posted 12/13/07 @ 4:50 AM EST
It doesn't matter how you want to frame it, students are stealing copyrighted material. The university is under no obligation to take steps to make it easier for students to avoid litigation. (Continued…)
trevor
posted 12/14/07 @ 1:00 PM EST
ryan why do you have such a boner for the riaa?
i steal from RIAA ALLLLLLLLL THE TIME and im damn proud to do so. i am of the opinion that if you are going to create art for the purpose of becoming rich then your motives are flawed. (Continued…)
Frank
posted 12/30/07 @ 1:14 AM EST
ryan
You are an RIAA agent! As such told your masters to put themselves in a trash can and plase tell them to close the cover after they are in to reduce the smell. (Continued…)
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