This is a reminder that all use of the Rockhurst network is subject to the terms and conditions of the Rockhurst University Computer Usage Policy.

This is also a reminder that copyright infringement is in clear violation of the Rockhurst University Computer Usage Policy. Specifically, the Rockhurst computer network can only be used for legal purposes and may NOT be used in the "Violation of … any copyright or trademark law, including unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material."

RIAA Copyright Infringement Allegations

In the past month, Rockhurst has received notice from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and other groups, that certain individuals within the Rockhurst University community have committed copyright infringement in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Rockhurst University is obligated to respond to any and all reports of such violations and has suspended network access for the accused individuals, per demand of the RIAA attorneys.

P2P File Sharing is NOT Anonymous

Each of the RIAA allegations Rockhurst has received has included very specific location and identification information about individual and the alleged copyright infringement. Each user should be aware that file trading is NOT anonymous and that any individual engaged in p2p activity can be identified and tracked down.

We have reason to suspect that there may be more Rockhurst students sharing files in violation of the Rockhurst University Computer Usage Policy. While the RIAA has not issued a subpoena (YET), if subpoenaed, Rockhurst will be required to hand over student names to the RIAA for them to reclaim statutory damages (which can reach $150k per act of willful infringement).

Use of P2P File Sharing Software is Forbidden

This is an official notice to all users to remove peer-to-peer file sharing software. Examples of forbidden software include, but are not limited to, LimeWire, Kazaa, Gnutella, iMesh, and BitTorrent clients.

Any user found in violation of this policy may result in long term suspension or complete termination of such user's Rockhurst University network, e-mail, and Cisco Clean Access account in addition to any financial liability that you may personally incur from the RIAA or any other trade groups representing the owners of the copyrighted materials that you are sharing with others