Colleges have given their students subscriptions to legal downloading services, used packet-shaping software to rein in out-of-control file swappers, and issued all sorts of stern warnings about computing ethics. But none of those tactics seem to be discouraging students from pirating music and movies, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Officials at a number of California colleges still find themselves inundated with cease-and-desist notices sent by the music companies and film studios, the Bee reports. Meanwhile, file-sharing students say it's almost laughably easy to stay under the radar — trading tunes and videos on local networks without exposing themselves to the Web at large.
It doesn't seem like there are many antipiracy tactics than have the benefit of, well, actually working. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that colleges should throw up their hands and stop trying to curb illegal file sharing. Computing ethics are important, after all, and alleviating pressure from industry officials and lawmakers is important, too. But we can't help but wonder: Are there colleges that have decided fighting piracy just isn't worth the effort? –Brock Read
