THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2004
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Student settles with RIAA for downloading music
BY NIKOLA ROWE
nrowe@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WINTER
Charli Johnson got $444,000 worth of bad news in her mailbox in August.
She had received a letter from the Recording Industry Association of America telling her she was being sued for illegally downloading music.
With 592 songs at $750 a piece, the Winfield junior owed $444,000. She had two options: Agree to a settlement with the RIAA or go to court, fighting the hundreds of thousands of dollars in charges.
Johnson is one of 18 people in Kansas that were notified by the RIAA in the last three months they would be sued for sharing illegal downloads. Last week, Johnson settled for an undisclosed amount.
"My dad is a lawyer, so I called him on what to do," Johnson said. She took his advice and settled. "There is no way I could have gotten out of it
if I went to court," Johnson said.
Part of Johnson's agreement with RIAA included a fine, destruction of the downloaded music and a signed agreement saying she would no longer share copyrighted music.
Most settlement fines average $3,000, said Jonathan Lamy, RIAA spokesman. Johnson said her fine was close to that average.
The University of Kansas provides information on its Web site about illegal downloads, which includes a link to www.musicunited.org. This Web site includes a list of more than 50 sites where people can go to legally download music.
The goal of the committee is to provide resources to school administrators in educational efforts, student responsibility, technological solutions and examining differences and exploring prospects for collaboration on legislative initiatives. Members of the committee include Cary Sherman from the RIAA and Graham Spanier from Pennsylvania State University.
All students who live in resident halls and use ResNet must sign an agreement to not download or share copyrighted works.
Tuesday, entertainment and University leaders reviewed efforts to curb illegal file-sharing on college campuses. The committee included representatives from the RIAA and other universities.
Tysen Kendig, Penn State spokesman, said his university is on the leading edge of online services enforcing copyright laws.
"Ilegal file-sharing has found a breading ground on college campuses because of high-speed computer networks that colleges operate and because college-age students are high consumers of music," Kendig said.
Johnson knows she isn't the only one who illegally downloads music.
"It was completely random bad luck," Johnson said.
Edited by Jon Ralston
ILLEGAL DOWNLOAD LAWSUITS MADE BY THE RIAA LAST YEAR
September 2003 There are 281 lawsuits across the country for illegal downloads.
April 2004 — Two University students are sued and identified as Doe 1 and Doe 2.
Dec. 15, 2003 — Doe 1's largest illegal download was made which included such artists as Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins
Jan. 26, 2004 — Doe 2's largest illegal download was made, including songs from the Dixie Chicks, Alabama, Clint Black, Journey and Phil Collins.
May 2004 - The RIAA filed 493 lawsuits, 44 against residents of Kansas and Missouri.
Source; Lawrence Journal-World articles from archive
Rec center expansion date bumped up
BY LAURA FRANCIGVILIA
lfrancoviglia@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WINTER
Students may not have to wait as long for basketball courts or weight equipment at the Student Recreation Fitness Center. An expansion to the rec center could come four to five years sooner than previously expected. Building for the new addition may begin as soon as next year.
The expansion is still in the preliminary planning process, but possible additions include at least four more basketball courts, additional racketball courts and
more free weight space.
Richard Johnson, dean of students, said the Board of Regents will review the project in September or October for approval.
Once the board of Regents reviews and approves the plan, a building committee will be assembled, said Steve Munch, student body president.
Munch, Bellevue, Neb., junior, said students, as well as administrators and rec center directors, would make up the committee.
The Athletics Department will fund the expansion through an agreement signed
last April by Lew Perkins, athletic director and Andy Knopp, former student body president. According to the agreement, the department will fund the addition to the rec center for up to $1 million each year.
Strolling in the rain
The agreement states that students will exchange tickets at Allen Fieldhouse for funding for the expansion to the rec center.
The tickets students give up are ones that have been unused. Students enter into a year-to-year agreement with the department to let KUAC sell the unused tickets. Before, students got nothing in return. Now, the
Another benefit to students through this agreement: Students will have more seating in Allen Fieldhouse's lower tier, Marchiony said.
money will be used for the rec center expansion.
Sean Lester, associate athletic director for internal affairs, said the department is securing funding for the addition.
"Everyone should win," said Jim Marchiony, associate athletic director for external affairs. "Students get all the tickets they need."
Edited by Marissa Stephenson
A pedestrian walked through a downpour near the Military Science Building Monday afternoon. Rain is forecasted for today, with a cold front passing through this evening.
Courtney Kuhlner/KANSAM
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
The KU Young Democrats invite you to Come party with Governor Kathleen Sebelius Congressman Dennis Moore Congressional Candidate Nancy Boyda
Tuesday, August 31st
8:00 p.m. - Midnight
Liberty Hall 642 Massachusetts Street
Big Metal Rooster To kick off the school year and the campaign!
To order tickets, email kudems@ku.edu or visit www.ku.edu/~kudems
$5 Students
$10 Adults
$100 Sponsors
engineering
student council
Help plan upcoming events and learn about everything that has been going on in the Engineering Building
Welcome Back Meeting
PRESENTED BY
AUGUST 26, 2004
General Meeting August 26th,5:30 p.m. 1131 Learned Hall
STUDENT SENATE
slab
student legislative awareness board
COORDINATOR POSITIONS.NOW AVAILABLE Pick up applications in the Student Senate office online at www.ku.edu/~slab or email slab@ku.edu
Find out more: Info Meetings Sept. 1 & 2,6 pm, Walnut Room, Kansas Union
Make your mark at KU join student senate
STUDENT SENATE
Your campus group's ad could be here. Contact John Wilson, communications director, for advertising info Open only to registered student groups receiving senate funding.
Make the Connection Challenge.Educate.Empower.
Connecting You to Community Service
Center for Community Outreach www.ku.edu/~cco
405 Kansas Union
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-4073
cc@ku.edu