Avoid Illegal Downloading, File Sharing, and Unknown Uploads

Though most peer-to-peer (P2P) software—software that connects individual users to each other directly without need for a central point of management—and similar programs are legal, a lot of the materials available are not, and some programs may put your system and the NU Network at risk.

P2P software can be packaged with malware that can threaten your computer's security, and some of these programs automatically share everything on your machine, even if you've opted not to share. In addition, traffic generated by P2P file sharing of music and movies slows NU Network response time and detracts from the network resources available for academic and research uses.

Many of the files available on these networks are not authorized by the copyright holder to be downloaded or shared. Distribution of these files is illegal. NU's Office of General Counsel provides an intellectual property primer outlining Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) details and copyright-related information. As a general rule regarding legitimate subscriber services, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Good Habits for Avoiding Illegal Downloading and File Sharing

• Read licenses carefully
• Ensure that your P2P software is set to only share the files you're authorized to share
• When purchasing music, movies, games, software, or other materials, read the license carefully to learn if you have permission to convert materials to other formats for personal use
• Don't share or distribute materials unless you know you have permission

Be Aware You're Uploading (NU-BAYU)

Because it's sometimes difficult to know if and when you're uploading, NUIT has implemented a program for students to educate and increase awareness about issues surrounding copyright infringement through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing technology.

The goal of NU-BAYU (Be Aware You're Uploading) is to educate users on:

• how to avoid uploading
• how to use P2P file sharing technology lawfully
• the risks associated with using P2P file sharing technology

When NU-BAYU identifies P2P uploading, it automatically sends an e-mail to the user whose computer it detected. This e-mail lets the user know that a computer associated with them appears to be engaged in P2P uploading. More information about NU-BAYU is available at Be Aware You're Uploading.