University students who often share files online are under the increasing scrutiny as the Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA) has begun to take action against those who illegally download movies.
The MPAA announced its initial wave of lawsuits Nov. 16, targeting those who share copied films online.
"Anyone who is offering movies on any of the file sharing networks, and if that file is an illegal copy of a copyrighted film, they are opening themselves up to legal action," said Zanku Armenian, an MPAA spokesperson.
The act of sharing illegal copies of movies means legal action can be taken, Armenian added.
The MPAA does not know the identities of the infringers of whom they have found records.
"What is known at this point is the username, the IP address, the time and date where the infringing activity happened," Armenian said.
The MPAA is waiting for the courts to subpoena the individuals' information for the suits to move forward, Armenian added. The information is located through the infringer's internet service provider (ISP).
Since the University is an ISP, it will receive notices or subpoenas if a copyright holder like the MPAA believes a network user has been trafficking copyrighted material, University media relations manager Patricia Allen said.
"Princeton is never directly involved in the actual lawsuit," Allen said. "Students need to comply with University policy, which states that students are not to use our network for infringing purposes. Infringing on copyright material does not only violate federal laws, but also University policy."
OIT and the residential college directors of studies educate students on the dangers of file sharing and illegal downloading.
The "Princeton University Information Technology Resources and Internet Access — Guidelines for Use" states, "members of the University community who engage in any activity that infringes copyright-protected materials may be subject to disciplinary action."
For students who are concerned about possible action from the MPAA, Armenian advises them to stop sharing illegally obtained copies of movies.
"There is no safe harbor," Armenian said. "You can be sharing one or many [files]. Once you share one, you are violating the law."
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