Colleges Shut Down the Network to P2P Users

Several colleges across the country are taking P2P file sharing into their own hands. In an effort to curb illegal downloading, schools such as Florida and UCLA have implemented programs that detect P2P networks or the sharing of copyrighted material. Once detected the user is cut off from the network completely preventing the P2P use.

UCLA has implemented a quarantine project using the Automated Copyright Notice System (ACNS). Wired News reports the system is a rather simple concept of flagging a copyright offender and then cutting the offender off from all network use until they agree not to break copyright rules.

When a person is flagged for a copyright infringement violation by a copyright holder, like a music label or movie studio, their IP address is automatically cut off from all network access except university resources, ending the student's ability to swap files.

Students are able to get themselves out of quarantine quickly by visiting a web page, agreeing to the school's acceptable-use policy and removing the copyright material. After a student takes these steps, their computer is automatically taken out of quarantine, and full network services are restored within a day. The school stores data about the students, who are identified by IP address, in case of a future offense.

The program was developed in conjunction with Universal Studios and so far has been a tremendous success as there have been no repeat offenders of copyright violations since the system was introduced.

Florida implemented a similar program, named Icarus, to deter illegal P2P use, but instead of preventing illegal file sharing, the school completely shut off use to any P2P networks. This not only shuts down file sharing programs such as Kazaa and Napster, but doesn’t allow LAN (Local Area Network) games to be played either. Wired News reports the Icarus program is implemented immediately when a student wants to connect to the network.

When students first register on the network, they are required to read about peer-to-peer networks and certify that they will not share copyright files. Icarus then scans their computer, detects any worms, viruses or programs that act as a server, such as Kazaa. Students are then given instructions on how to disable offending programs.

If a student is on the network and tries to share files, Icarus automatically sends an e-mail and an immediate pop-up warning and disconnects the student from the network. The first violation disables network access for 30 minutes; the second cuts off access for five days. Third-time offenders are subject to the school's judicial process, and their network access is cut off indefinitely.

The program appears to be a huge success as well. Since implementation, bandwith use has dropped by 85 percent as people just are not sharing anymore.

The programs appear to be an enormous success in preventing illegal filesharing. The RIAA is obviously a big supporter of the program and will hope more campuses take steps in preventing illegal filesharing as well. The ACSN program used by UCLA is available for free to any college that wishes to implement the program. It would seem colleges have a great incentive for stopping illegal filesharing. First, they don’t want their students breaking the law and they don’t want to be the ones that are facilitating this process. And two, lowering bandwidth usage helps lower school costs and allows legitmate internet use to function smoothly.

While the programs are having success and they are beneficial to schools, not everyone likes them. Students are upset over the ban as they will no longer be able to get free music, games, movies, etc. Others such as Jason Schultz, an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation and John Vaughn of the Association for American Universities are more concerned about the styfiling of legal filesharing and Network use. They are concerned that students will be blocked from academic freedom and growth by cutting them off from the networks. This is especially true Florida’s program which cuts off network sharing completely.

It would appear ULCA’s approach of targeting the sharing of illegal filesharing of copryrighted material is a much sounder approach to the rising P2P issue. Their program only prevents illegal filesharing, but seems to still allow other legal network sharing uses, such as LAN gaming or the sharing of legal content such as student papers, movies, music or applications. The harsh approach of Florida’s system, while effective in preventing illegal filesharing, does raise many concerns over preventing legal use of the system. P2P is not going away, so it seems that Florida and other schools should encourage legal use of the system and not destroy the system all together. It will be interesting to see which route other Universities take, if any.