February 2, 2007
Music Pirates Run Wild at the U. of South Carolina
Sure, the Gamecocks name has helped sell a lot of hats. But for accuracy's sake, the University of South Carolina may need to change its nickname to the Pirates.
After all, South Carolina is No. 1 in the nation in campus music piracy, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Record companies have sent the university a whopping 914 notices of copyright infringement this academic year, officials with the trade group told The State. (For comparison, two nearby universities -- Clemson and Furman -- received 71 and 45 notices, respectively.)
Now that South Carolina has been outed as a den of peer-to-peer iniquity, campus officials say they will do their best to curb campus piracy. They have not had to look very far for advice: The State says administrators are discussing "changes to technology policies" with Ginger DeMint, the RIAA's director of government and industry relations. Ms. DeMint is the daughter of Jim DeMint, a Republican senator from the state. --Brock Read
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The implication that USC is a worse offender than other Universities is extremely premature, unfounded, and an irresponsible accusation by “The Chronicle”.
Lets remember that:
1- These are merely accusations made by the RIAA. They have not been tried in court. Given the fact that it is cheaper to settle these lawsuits than it is to fight them it is likely that most students will settle. Thus, settlements should not be construed as a tacit admission of guilt, they are blackmail payments.
2- We have no idea of the RIAA’s methodology for finding people to sue. For example, it possible that a) they targeted a particular website which just so happened to be popular with USC students b) they targeted artists who happen to be popular with USC students c) they target subnets where USC students are over represented.
3- We also have to consider the possibility that USC provides Internet access to more of its students than other Universities. Campuses that do not provide high-speed Internet access at the dorms, under a .edu domain, will appear to have fewer violators when, in fact, they could be worse offenders.
Given USC’s large and diverse student population, I believe it is extremely unlikely that their behavior as a whole will be statistically different from that of any other University. Thus, the choice of the RIAA to lynch our students as an example to other schools is regrettable.
Jose
— Jose M Vidal Feb 5, 09:02 AM #
Another Carolina school also proudly holds the mascot of the Pirate anyway! East Carolina University, home of the Pirates!
Actually, East Carolina University has worked hard to curb online piracy. We offer students a free music service and are quick to follow up on RIAA complaints.
— Aaron Lucier Feb 5, 10:40 AM #
Shouldn’t this article be clarified to say “South Carolina is No. 1 in the nation in ONLINE campus music piracy”? Because what you’re really talking about is peer-to-peer, bearshare and limewire type stuff.
As a former music student I was constantly in the School of Music library— and I know if you bring a laptop in (regardless of whether or not you’ve checked out a CD) they watch you like a hawk and most often question you. So, that library has made it pretty much impossible to pirate music in person, at least.
— Masters in Music Ed Feb 6, 08:07 PM #