WEDNESDAY, JULY 16,2003 NEWS THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3 Zach Straus/Kansan Administrators at the University of Kansas are preparing for the Recording Industry Association of America to file an mp3-related lawsuit against any KU student. The RIAA announced last month that it would begin filing lawsuits against Internet users who offered "substantial" amounts of files for others to download for personal use. INTERNETLAW File swappers may face charges for music piracy By Richard Gintowt rgintowt@kansan.com Kansan staff writer Chronic music downloaders beware the Recording Industry Association of America may be coming after you. The University of Kansas' information services department is holding meetings to prepare for a scenario in which the RIAA would issue a subpoena requesting the name of a student on the University's network. The RIAA announced last month that it would begin filing lawsuits against computer users who illegally share "substantial" amounts of copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks like KaZaA and Grokster. The RIAA did not say how many files qualified as substantial. "I don't think we're above and beyond the reach of these guys," said Jenny Mehmedovic, coordinator of information technology policy and planning. So far the University has been the sole disciplinarian of overzealous file sharers, issuing warnings and requiring repeat offenders to attend education sessions. The RIAA could not take action against specific students because it could not match those students' Internet Service Provider addresses with their names. The RIAA said in a press release that it could serve a subpoena on the ISP requesting the name and address of the violator under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Because the University is its own Internet Service Provider, the subpoena would likely come to the Office of Information Services. Mehmedovic said she would be paying close attention to whether other universities were receiving subpoenas. "We're hoping to learn from the experiences of our peers so we're prepared when the fall semester starts," she said. "It's probably not as likely during the summer since there are less students downloading music." Jim Pottorff, the University's general counsel, said the University would disclose students' names as long as the subpoena was valid. "It seems the recording industry is becoming more aggressive," he said. Matt Morgus, a bass player for the local band Salt the Earth, said he encouraged people to download his band's music. Jeff Brandsted, Topeka senior, said the RIAA's announcement would not deter him from downloading music. "When you don't have a lot of money from a major label, it helps," he said. "I don't really think it will be worth their time," Brandsted said. "They can't go after everybody." — Edited by Maggie Newcomer 501 Colorado Near 6th and Iowa Available Now and Aug. $ 1^{st}$ 2 Bedroom 1 Bath $525 3 Bedroom 2 Bath from $645 - Microwaves - Dishwasher - Central Air - Laundry on Site Ask About Leasing Specials!!! 841-5533 Ask About Pets! George Waters Management, Inc. www.apartmentsinlawrence.net Voted best pizza in Lawrence 704 Massachusetts Medium 2-topping Pizza with 2-16 oz. Drinks $7.99 + tax Not valid with other offers Large 2-topping Pizza with 2-16 oz. Drinks $10.49 + tax Not valid with other offers Not valid with other offers Rock Chalk Sidewalk Sale! Up to 75% off the following discontinued or sale items! ·Youth & Adult Apparel ·Art Supplies (paint/pencils) ·Adult Jerseys ·Auto Accessories ·KU Jewelry/Watches ·Journals ·Final Four Stuff ·Software July 16-19 Jayhawk Bookstore ...at the top of Naismith Hill voted Best Bookstore by KU Students 1420 Crescent Rd. ---