Complaints from the Recording Industry Association of America resurfaced about the increasing number of illegal music downloads at USC.
The RIAA sent 914 copyright infringement notices to USC this year, compared to the 71 notices sent to Clemson and 45 to Furman, according to The State newspaper.
"Honestly, I think that representation is somewhat unfair because we are a much bigger school than both Clemson and Furman," said fourth-year exercise science student Keri White.
Unfair or not, USC will have to take action against the claims.
"The institution was embarrassed for our students," said Dennis Pruitt, vice president of Student Affairs. "We are taking several steps to repair this situation. First, we want to re-educate and re-inform students about the laws pertaining to music piracy. Second, we would like to provide legal downloads for students next year, which we are in the process of researching. Third, we are going to take steps to more closely monitor the students and take more severe action against those students who participate in illegal downloading."
USC has placed a bid on Ruckus, a legal file-sharing service, and until that time, USC is working to lessen the amount of downloads.
Pruitt said the university is going to institute a technical literacy exam. Before students can access the network, they have to take the literacy exam and agree that they will comply with the rules, laws and standards that apply to those who use the university server.
In October 2006, the Residence Hall Association addressed the complaints from the RIAA during a meeting.
At that time, there had already been 600 reports of piracy from the RIAA. The RHA hoped the students would realize that the RIAA was taking notice and use word-of-mouth as a possible solution to cut down on illegal downloading.
"Because of all the complaints, the RHA has become part of a committee that is going to select a downloading provider for students," said RHA President Terrill Wilkins, a fourth-year history student.
"This process should be completed by April - in time for next year so that students will have a free and legal downloading system offered to them. Hopefully, this will curb the number of illegal downloads," Wilkins said.
"I would like to have the option of purchasing, because I do not think that it is fair to have a mandatory fee for music downloads. Some students just are not interested," said Abi Brumbles, a first-year English student.
The average price for music piracy rings in at $750 per "stolen" song.
"I sincerely hope that students will take self-responsibility regarding this situation," Pruitt said.
Be the first to comment on this article!