VSU Ratting Out Students Using P2P Clients

[djsting]

[citation][nom]hang-the-9[/nom]Did everyone miss the quote from the student where he said "if i'm just listening to music and not selling it, what's the big deal"? They don't exactly say "I was only downloading source code for open source works."[/citation]


They quoted the kid who probably has the most popular opinion about it(right or wrong). That being said, it's one student. Yeah, there are tons that use P2P to pirate. There are also plenty that use it to get legit downloads such as Blizzard's update clients or legit freeware and such.

I can see them adding in their TOS that P2P is forbidden for various reasons. That being said, if you were to be arrested simply on the grounds of using P2P and nothing more, grats to the police, after that lawsuit they'll be paying your tuition....

 

[tolham]

talk about shooting yourself in the foot. what soon-to-be college student would go to that school now?

 

[zeroabg]

no word on when there going to do something about outrageous textbook prices? new editions every year with almost nothing changed costing several arms and legs so we can look in them 3 times a semester can you say scam?

 

[tommysch]

[citation][nom]hang-the-9[/nom]School has the perfect right to do this. When they go on campus every student signs a computer usage agreement, just like people in real jobs do. Calling the police is a bit extreme though, I'd just block the mac address of the computer from accessing the network, then the kid can explain to the parents why his 2,000 laptop can't go online anymore.If you think about it, they had to donwload a way to bypass security settings in place, if you need to sneak around to do something, there is a clue that you should maybe not be doing it?[/citation]

Just spoof your MAC noob...

 

[quotas47]

Truth is, it's up to them. Treat your students like what they are. Customers. I don't see their reasoning for blocking anything at all. If they don't want to inherit the risk that comes with providing internet access, don't provide it. Allow a broadband company to manage the whole thing. A corporation that services consumers protects their rights unless demanded by court order, and even then, they fight to retain as much control as possible for a simple reason: Consumers want discretion.

All universities are completely wrong for imposing any restrictions if it is accepted that net access is something granted with every enrollment. You pay for a service, you get what you pay for. Private housing isn't always an option, especially for most universities requring using University housing for the first 1-2 years, but contracted internet services are.

They would relieve the university of any liability they might think they have, and it would cut the flak heading in their direction. If that really isn't viable, they might want to consider how much they value a semester's worth of tuition for a student who doesn't get enough VIRTUAL space when they're already living in a 10x10 room with 1-2 other people and it's supposed to be *home*. I mean that in more than the sentimental sense, but in the legal sense for voting and official residence.

 

[steelbox]

I think that the right thing to do would be to block p2p altogether. You are not at home, for Christ sake. You want to download something illegally do it from you home.

 

[TheWhiteRose000]

Isn't tracking down a students IP address considered invasion of privacy?
How else can they find who is downloading the most unless they track them by there IP's.

Stalkers....