The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has been filing lawsuits in order to stop the piracy of music. One of the main targets of the RIAA is university students. An example is Kent State:

“Ten Kent State students are facing lawsuits from the Recording Industry Association of America as a result of illegal music downloading.

This comes after nine students settled with the RIAA, paying a standard $3,000 settlement after the RIAA sent 19 pre-litigation settlement letters to the university in mid-April.”

link: Illegal downloads bring lawsuits for 10

Such action places the university in a precarious position. Although there may be the illegal downloading of music, the universities are mandated to protect the privacy of its students. Furthermore, does this lead to the university surveillance of internet activity? Perhaps like an employee in a business organization, a student on a university internet connection should not have the expectation of privacy.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: riaa, privacy, piracy, universities, students, lawsuits, surveillance, kent state, music