P2P

Q: What is P2P?

A: A type of transient Internet network that allows a group of computer users with the same networking program to connect with each other and directly access files from one another’s hard drives. Napster and Gnutella are examples of the kind of peer-to-peer software. Major producers of content, including record companies, have shown their concern about what they consider illegal sharing of copyrighted content by suing some P2P users. From: searchNetworking.com Definitions

Q: Is P2P ever legal?

A: Yes, if you write an article that you want to send to share with your friend. If you use it to share music, images, movies or anything else that you have purchased or downloaded from someone else it is illegal. Illegal file sharing can occur between the campus network and the public internet, or within a local area network (LAN).

Q: Is it illegal to forward an email that includes copyrighted material to someone else?

A: Yes

Q: Is it illegal to make an MP3 copy of a song from a CD you bought?

A: No

Q: Is it illegal to transfer copyrighted material using instant messenger?

A: Yes

Q: What is the DMCA?

A: An act that updates U.S. copyright laws for current digital technologies

Q: What is a DMCA violation notice?

A: A notification The College receives indicating a violation of the act has been discovered, which requests TCNJ to investigate and respond.

Q: What are the potential institutional consequences of illegal P2P?

A: Illegal file sharing is considered a violation of the Computing Access Agreement. If discovered your network access will be restricted and you will be subjected to the TCNJ judiciary procedures.

Q: What are the potential legal consequences of illegal P2P?

A: Jail time, liability for actual damages, lost profits and fines up to $150,000 PER copyright violation.

Q: What are the some of the other dangers of illegal P2P?

A: There are several dangers of participating in illegal file sharing including:

Propagation of viruses and worms – simply being connected to a P2P network can allow worms to spread without any action on your part.
Exposure of private information to strangers, which can lead to identity theft
Vulnerability to exposure to unwanted pornographic images

Q: Are there legal download services available?

A: There are several legal download services, including the following: