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University of Kansas Adopts 'One Strike' Copyright Infringement Policy

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the hope-you-really-liked-that-cher-album dept.

NewmanKU writes "Eric Bangeman at Ars Technica writes that the University of Kansas has adopted a new, and very strict, copyright infringement policy for the students on the residential network. The university's ResNet website states that, 'Violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is against the law. If you are caught downloading copyrighted material, you will lose your ResNet privileges forever. No second notices, no excuses, no refunds. One violation and your ResNet internet access is gone for as long as you reside on campus.' According to a KU spokesperson, KU has received 345 notices in the past year from organizations and businesses regarding complaints about copyrighted material downloading."

5 of 397 comments (clear)

  1. Due Process by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is there any clause to protect the due process rights of students?

    1. Re:Due Process by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Sure, as agreed upon and detailed in the plethora of documents they sign - which now include this notice.

      Just because you put something in your TOS does not make it legal or enforceable. IANAL, but I am an admin on a university network and we are frequently reminded that the students are paying customers with rights and as such we cannot arbitrarily ban them from using the system. Without some kind of watertight right of appeal someone probably will get caught as a false positive by this policy, sue, and win.

  2. Oh crap... by FrostedWheat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From the universities page: (which I downloaded into my browser...)

    If you are caught downloading copyrighted material, you will lose your ResNet privileges forever

    And further down, on the same page! (Which my browser downloaded, remember)...

    Copyright © 2005 by the University of Kansas

    Wow, that is harsh! I guess that's me banned then :-)

  3. Lack of Caring by Bios_Hakr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If the students care enough, they will all cancel their accounts. When the University sees a drop in revenue, they will have to decide.

    Pulling authoritarian crap like this in a place where people are naturally rebelling against everything and anything is a good way to get egg on your face.

    --
    I'd rather you do it wrong, than for me to have to do it at all.
  4. How will they know? by taxevader · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Will they kick out students simply because the MAFIAA sent them a strongly worded letter? It would be the simplest and cheapest thing for them to do, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

    Even if they are 'guilty'.. what if someone downloaded a ROM of a NES game he has in his basement at home? A track from a CD that doesn't play anymore? A no-cd patch for a game so he can play it on his laptop wherever he goes? According to their draconian proposal, all of these would mean you are cut off from the internet.. forever. Is it me or is that f&*king crazy?

    A University should be fighting the powers that be, not aiding and abetting them.

    --
    -Copyright law #69:Whenever Mickey Mouse is about to enter the public domain,copyrights get extended by 25 years.