Music industry wins UW IDs in file-sharing case

Wisconsin State Journal

With the increasing issue of illegal file sharing and downloading, it is no surprise that the RIAA is cracking down on policy. The University of Wisconsin was forced to give the names and contact information of fifty-three students allegedly responsible for 24,977 shared music files. Past file-sharing lawsuits have ended in "default judgments or stipulated settlements [...] ranging between $5,000 and $15,000", a price that would make any student reconsider the whole process.

In researching this topic for my final paper, I found a list the RIAA and MPAA published this February, ranking the top twenty-five Universities who have received warnings about students illegally downloading files. Among the list of "the most piracy-ridden schools in higher education" sits UMass at number six for music file sharing and number nine for film and TV show downloads.

From students' perspectives, it seems that most know file sharing is wrong but do not care. The media industry has tried several different approaches to control the issue, including the ridiculous slogans like 'You wouldn't steal a car, would you?', or even temporarily removing Internet access. All of the campaigns have been unsuccessful until now, and the RIAA and MPAA are imposing heavy fines on offenders. I think, if strictly enforced, this may work in scaring people, particularly college and high school students, into actually purchasing music, movies and shows.