Webster University: Illegal Downloading

Downloading Without Paying: Why is it Illegal?

When a movie or song is produced and marketed everyone involved in the process has monetary gains from the sale of that product. Therefore that product is protected by copyright law so that it cannot be copied, reproduced or resold without their permission. If you did not pay for a song, movie or other media file that has a copyright then downloading that file is a crime.

Who’s Watching?

The two primary groups that police the downloading of music and movies are the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). These two groups constantly monitor downloads and websites for copyright violation, they tend to pay close attention to colleges and universities. When they see that a song or movie has been downloaded illegally they notify the school who then takes steps to internally identify the person who downloaded the file. There can be serious legal and financial ramifications to illegal downloading.

Consequences of Illegal Downloading

Legal & Monetary

The RIAA or MPAA may seek the following penalties from those who are found guilty of copyright infringement through illegal downloading.

Up to five years in jail
Up to $250,000 in fines

The copyright holder also can sue which can result in legal fees and damages that must be paid, this is in addition to any other charges that might be brought against you.

Viruses & Spyware

Most Illegal downloading is done through Peer-to-Peer (P2P) software. This software allows people to share their files with others. Since you have no idea where you are getting the files from you have no way of knowing if they are infected with viruses or spyware. Downloading infected files to your computer could result in loss of data, excessive pop ups, slow Internet connection and possible identity theft. An active ant-virus software will not always protect you from viruses obtains through P2P software.

Fact and Fiction

Fiction: No one at Webster has ever gotten caught for downloading music or movies illegally.

Fact: Every semester multiple people at Webster are notified of their violations of copyright law.

Fiction: Even if I do get caught there are no consequences, I'm small time.

Fact: Besides the laws which can fine you up to $250,000 and sentence you to five years in prison (that's for a FIRST time offender), illegal downloading is against Webster acceptable use policy and can result in disciplinary action.

Fiction: There is no way for Webster to trace a download back to me, I'm safe.

Fact: If illegal downloading takes place on Webster's network it can be traced by the RIAA/MPAA and Webster's IT department back to the computer that received the file.

Fiction: Downloading a song or movie is not really stealing.

Fact: If this is a song or movie that you would typically have to pay for and you download it without paying it is stealing. There is no difference between taking a CD from a store and downloading your favorite song. Both are stealing.

Fiction: If I am downloading on my own personal computer that is connected to the Webster network I am safe.

Fact: Any illegal downloading which takes place on a personally owned computer, if it occurs while that computer is connected to Webster's network, is still governed by our Acceptable Use Policy.