RIAA Sends New Round Of Settlement Letters To Universities

Continuing its efforts to address illegal downloading on college campuses, the RIAA today sent a second wave of 405 pre-litigation settlement letters to 23 universities. The RIAA launched the initiative last month (NET NEWS 2/28).

"This is not our preferred course, but we hope that students will understand the consequences of stealing music and that our partners in the college community will appreciate the proactive role they can play," said RIAA Pres. CARY SHERMAN. "This is a program about defending our rights and providing the appropriate foundation for the legal marketplace to flourish. The pervasive theft of music on campus networks is nonetheless a shared problem for the industry and universities alike. The more that universities impart the right message to their students and protect the integrity of their computer networks, the less likely their students will be caught and sued for copyright theft."

The more that universities impart the right message to their students and protect the integrity of their computer networks, the less likely their students will be caught and sued for copyright theft.

RIAA EVP/General Counsel STEVEN MARKS said, "We're encouraged by the response of universities that are forwarding the pre-litigation settlement letters to students. Not every student will take advantage of this opportunity, but those that do get the benefit of a discounted settlement and no public mark on their record."

As ALL ACCESS reported yesterday (NET NEWS 3/20), at least one school -- the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON -- is refusing to forward the settlement letters to its students.

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