The Recording Industry Association of America sued two AU students and one unknown individual Thursday for illegally sharing digital music files online over the University's computer network.
According to federal copyright laws, the RIAA is able to seek up to $150,000 in damages for each song illegally downloaded online. Most defendants settle, and while the RIAA does not disclose details of these settlements, The Washington Post reported that defendants usually pay around $3,000.
AU is still trying to determine the identity of the third defendant, who could be anyone with access to the AU's computer network, David Taylor, University President Benjamin Ladner's chief of staff, told The Post.
Officials in e-Operations and Office of the General Counsel referred questions to Taylor, who was unavailable for comment to The Eagle.
The students were part of a group of 761 people sued by the RIAA in the D.C. area over the past week. The AU defendants were caught through the Internet addresses they used and were not identified by name.
The RIAA does not discuss the methods it uses to find file sharers to sue. It does not have any firm rules about how many files a computer user must have in order to be sued, an RIAA official said.
"If you're breaking the law, you're breaking the law," the official told The Post, adding that anyone who illegally downloads or distributes music files can be sued.
Some students feel that illegal file sharing is widespread at AU.
"A lot of people do get away with illegally sharing music," said Kellie Cavalier, a sophomore in the School of International Service. "Clearly not everyone can get caught, although not being able to share music completely undermines what the music industry is all about - sharing a message."
Taylor said AU was not named as a defendant in the lawsuits.
Taylor declined to name the students, but said that the school would give their names to RIAA lawyers, The Post reported. The accused individuals face possible expulsion or loss of their Internet service. They could also be told to attend educational workshops on file sharing.
Doug Kilgore, a first-year law student, said that the $3,000 settlement for each individual is unfair.
"Sharing music is a pretty common thing nowadays," Kilgore said. "I think $3,000 is a little harsh for something that half the student body already does."
To combat illegal music and movie sharing online, AU limits the bandwidth students have on file transfers. Also, incoming freshmen must listen to lectures on illegal file sharing during their summer orientation.
College students are usually targeted because they are the heaviest users of music online, according to the association.
"College students are some of the most avid music fans. The music habits and customs they develop now are likely to stay with them for life," RIAA President Cary Sherman said in a statement released last week.
Eagle Staff Writer Rebecca Bellville contributed to this report.
