From: John Etchemendy <provost@stanford.edu>
To: XXX
Message-Id: <200305252057.h4PKvA8x001372@sumail.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 13:57:10 -0700
Subject: Copyrighted Material and File-Sharing Networks

To the Stanford Community,

I am writing you to reiterate the university's policy on the use of
Stanford's computer networks in ways that violate copyright laws.  In 
recent months the Recording Industry and Motion Picture Associations 
of America have increased their enforcement efforts regarding 
copyrighted materials.  Those efforts have included filing of 
lawsuits against individual students at other universities who were
believed to use peer-to-peer file-sharing networks on university servers 
in violation of copyrights of musical artists.  Those students were 
personally subjected to a great deal of negative publicity, were forced to 
pay attorneys' fees to defend against the lawsuits, and ultimately were 
required to pay monetary settlements ranging from $12,000 to $17,500.  I 
want to make sure all members of the Stanford community are aware of 
Stanford's stance on this issue.

Stanford is committed to facilitating access to information through
its computer networks as part of its mission to pursue research and
create knowledge.  However, the university's research and teaching
mission also depends on respect for the rights of intellectual
property and the university will not facilitate the pirating of
intellectual property through its computer networks.

Stanford has received an increasing number of notices from copyright
owners identifying the IP addresses of members of the Stanford
community who are sharing copies of music and videos without
authorization.  The law requires the university to respond to such
complaints by eliminating access to the infringing materials, and may
further require Stanford to identify students, faculty, staff or
others who have violated copyright laws.  The university will
eliminate access and will provide information as required by law.
Furthermore, the university also will suspend or terminate computer
access to members of the community who continue to violate copyright
laws.  Finally, the university will take action through the student,
employee, or faculty disciplinary processes if necessary.

Sharing music, videos, software, and other copyrighted material in
violation of copyright laws can expose you and others to legal
sanctions, as well as sanctions under Stanford's policies.  Please do
not put yourself, your friends, or your colleagues in that serious and
difficult position.

If you would like more information about this, you can consult my
earlier memo regarding copyright law at:

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/ucomm/provost/copyright_reminder.html

If you have questions about our policies, please consult the Office of
the General Counsel (723-9611).

Sincerely,

John Etchemendy