Statement on Peer to Peer Filesharing
Over the last few years a number of "peer to peer" (p2p) applications have come into widespread use. These allow users to participate in a file sharing "community", allowing users to search the network for files that may interest them, and to transfer those files to their own computers. This downloading generally is not a problem for the University, although it puts users at risk personally if they use p2p applications to acquire copyrighted materials without buying or licensing those materials.
Most p2p programs also automatically share files from the user's disk to other users worldwide, unless the user takes specific actions to prevent this. Sharing copyrighted materials without a license is quite likely to subject the user and the University to legal sanctions. In addition, the network traffic such sharing generates can easily cause problems for other users at the University. Both of these outcomes violate the University's Acceptable Use Policy.
When notified that someone on its network is distributing copyrighted materials, the Copyright Act no 98 of 1978 holds the University responsible for ensuring that it does not knowingly participate in the distribution of such materials.
The University will not protect individuals who distribute copyrighted material without an appropriate license. Since most p2p programs install themselves with worldwide sharing turned on by default, it is very easy for their users to find themselves in serious trouble with the University and with copyright holders.
If you are using p2p applications and are on or otherwise connected to the university's network, you should consider removing the p2p applications from your system. If you choose not to remove these applications, you should IMMEDIATELY ensure that your systems are set to prevent them from acting as providers of unlicensed materials to other users. Instructions for doing this in most p2p packages are widely available on the Internet, for example:
http://security.uchicago.edu/peer-to-peer/no_fileshare.shtml
http://forums.ru.ac.za/index.php?showtopic=8130
Failure to restrict p2p applications appropriately — whether you are aware of the violation or not — will result in your machine being removed from the network until the copyright violation is rectified. It will also cause a report to be sent to University Human Resources Management, the Dean of Students, or the University Proctor, as appropriate. This will lead to disciplinary action within the University. Additionally, legal action may be taken against you by the holder of the copyright for the material that was found on your system.
Information Technology Division
2004-06-25 (edited 2004-09-27)
