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Copyright and P2P

It is illegal to copy, distribute, broadcast or use copyrighted materials including audio, video, and data files from the web, CD, DVD, or any other media type without the explicit authorisation of the copyright owner. This includes copying CD's or DVD's which you already own. The University regularly monitors the network for unauthorised network use. For detailed information on copyright visit the SCU Copyright website [scu.edu.au/copyright].

It is illegal for users to allow copyrighted materials to be downloaded from or to their computers. Users may be sued for violating copyright laws if this occurs, as well incurring stringent disciplinary sanctions from the University. Using P2P applications poses a significant security risk. Infringing copies of music or video files on University computers constitutes a breach of policy. Peer-to-Peer file-sharing programs (such as KaZaa, Grokster, Aimster/Madster, LimeWire, Morpheus, Bearshare, Gnutella, iMesh, WinMX, AudioGalaxy and other) allow users to download and share music and data files. The use of these types of programs on the University network to download music, data and audio visual files in breach of copyright is strictly forbidden.

Security risks with P2P File Sharing

P2P file sharing programs can pose significant security. Some of these risks are highlighted below:

  • Many P2P programs install viruses, trojans, worms or spyware onto your computer.
  • Using a file sharing programs can make the contents of your hard drive visible to the Internet so that others can potentially get to your data.
  • The KaZaA license agreement includes a clause whereby the licensee allows the licensor the right to use your machine for any reason they see fit. Users are often not aware that when installing this software, by default they allow their computer to be used as a server able to be accessed by third parties.
  • Inappropriate use of P2P software therefore poses a direct threat to our security and users may unwittingly be exposing private, personal, or commercially sensitive information and documents on their machine to the entire Internet (e.g. drafts of examination papers, marks, extracts from theses, copyright material used for private study or research etc.)

System user responsibilities for P2P Music and File Sharing

System users must not use P2P file sharing programs that breach copyright. Users must immediately delete any files on their computer that breach copyright. All University computer users are subject to TS policies, specifically the Computing Conditions of Use and the IT Security Policy in relation to file sharing.

Updated: 05 September 2012