In a bit of a predicament...
Ok, well I seem to be caught in a pickle right now. In short, what happened was that my friend received an e-mail from the DMCA administrator about a copywrited file that was made available for the public on his or his roommates computer. Well, the culprit was me. All they have is an IP address which is the one that belongs to him. But he has a wireless network set up here at the dorms so everyone that uses it has the same IP address. So I share that IP address. They don't know that though. Anyway, the e-mail they sent says:
So I'm wondering what I should do after I find this out. The thing that strikes me the most is that they picked up this particular thing and I had only DL'd 360 mbs. I'm pretty sure they only picked it up through torrent because I was seeding it as well (my own fault) and they had scouts out looking and I happened to be caught. Well, I thought about it and I replied back (as my friend who received the e-mail):
To which they replied...
So right now I'm wondering what I should do now. The consequences I think that can be faced is that at worst both my friend and his roommate will have to attend a class. But I don't even know if they can get a judicial referral just because they technically had no knowledge of this situation. If I come out and take the hit, I know I could face the same punishment alone with a judicial referral. But a lot of the wording leaves some up to interpretation such as the fact that "It has come to our attention that copyrighted material is or was available for public access from a computer in your room. Specifically, (a) copyrighted copy(ies) of...
<o></o>
The Wire
<o></o>
...has (have) been found available to the public via your network"
So they way I see it is that they are just making mention that it was made available, not that it was downloaded or uploaded. Can you get into a lot of trouble for that? Or just a warning?
Regardless, I'm trying to figure out the next move from here minimizing the consequences. Should I call and try to iron it out over phone? Should I e-mail them back? Should I just take the hit?
I was thinking of e-mailing them back and asking what type of trouble can be gotten into from someone who was completely unaware of the situation. Or what happens if my friend is able to track down the culprit.
Feedback?
It has come to our attention that copyrighted material is or was available for public access from a computer in your room. Specifically,
(a) copyrighted copy(ies) of...
<o></o>
The Wire
<o></o>
...has (have) been found available to the public via your network connection numbered TP02A in 258 Slusher Hall.
<o></o>
It is our understanding this (these) copy(ies) is (are) not authorized for reproduction or distribution at your site. This notice is sent to all roommates in the identified room. It pertains to the individual whose computer is connected to the previously-listed portal (or Ethernet connection).
<o></o>
Unauthorized use of Virginia Tech communications facilities and disregard for intellectual and artistic property rights are violations of Virginia Tech's Policies: #2015 - "Acceptable Use of Computer and Communication Systems" and, "Acceptable Use of Information Systems at Virginia Tech".
<o></o>
Additionally, ***>this activity violates federal and/or state copyright laws and may constitute a criminal violation, subjecting you to both criminal and civil legal charges.<*** Information on related legal issues my be reviewed at the URL:
<o></o>
<o></o>
>>> READ THIS CAREFULLY...
If you do not send an e-mail reply to this message within twenty-four hours (one business day) of the time this note was sent, commenting on your involvement or knowledge of this incident and confirming you have ceased unauthorized sharing of copyrighted files, your network access will be curtailed. It will not be reactivated until you send e-mail to [email protected] to confirm that the problem with your computer has been resolved.
<o></o>
THIS CASE IS BEING REFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY'S JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICE FOR FURTHER ACTION. Judicial Affairs may be contacted by phone at 1-3790 or by e-mail to [email protected].
<o></o>
NOTE: Refer any technical questions or comments on this matter to 4Help by calling 231-HELP (231-4357 or, 4-4357 on campus) or via the web at http://4help.vt.edu.
(a) copyrighted copy(ies) of...
<o></o>
The Wire
<o></o>
...has (have) been found available to the public via your network connection numbered TP02A in 258 Slusher Hall.
<o></o>
It is our understanding this (these) copy(ies) is (are) not authorized for reproduction or distribution at your site. This notice is sent to all roommates in the identified room. It pertains to the individual whose computer is connected to the previously-listed portal (or Ethernet connection).
<o></o>
Unauthorized use of Virginia Tech communications facilities and disregard for intellectual and artistic property rights are violations of Virginia Tech's Policies: #2015 - "Acceptable Use of Computer and Communication Systems" and, "Acceptable Use of Information Systems at Virginia Tech".
<o></o>
Additionally, ***>this activity violates federal and/or state copyright laws and may constitute a criminal violation, subjecting you to both criminal and civil legal charges.<*** Information on related legal issues my be reviewed at the URL:
<o></o>
<o></o>
>>> READ THIS CAREFULLY...
If you do not send an e-mail reply to this message within twenty-four hours (one business day) of the time this note was sent, commenting on your involvement or knowledge of this incident and confirming you have ceased unauthorized sharing of copyrighted files, your network access will be curtailed. It will not be reactivated until you send e-mail to [email protected] to confirm that the problem with your computer has been resolved.
<o></o>
THIS CASE IS BEING REFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY'S JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICE FOR FURTHER ACTION. Judicial Affairs may be contacted by phone at 1-3790 or by e-mail to [email protected].
<o></o>
NOTE: Refer any technical questions or comments on this matter to 4Help by calling 231-HELP (231-4357 or, 4-4357 on campus) or via the web at http://4help.vt.edu.
I apologize for this situation, but I am completely unaware of the circumstances described. I currently have and have had a wireless network set up in my room. What I can assume happened is that
somebody connected wirelessly to my network and made the file available. I know for sure that it was not me nor my roommate. Everyone that connects to my network shares the IP Address that was listed in the Infringement Details, so it very well could have been anyone. My router did go down for a reason I am not sure of, but it could have been you guys disconnecting me. I was not sure at the time of the situation what the problem was, so as a result I eventually had to completely reboot my router and start from scratch. What I can do from now on is restrict access and password protect my network to ensure that this does not happen again under my supervision.
Thank you for the notification.
somebody connected wirelessly to my network and made the file available. I know for sure that it was not me nor my roommate. Everyone that connects to my network shares the IP Address that was listed in the Infringement Details, so it very well could have been anyone. My router did go down for a reason I am not sure of, but it could have been you guys disconnecting me. I was not sure at the time of the situation what the problem was, so as a result I eventually had to completely reboot my router and start from scratch. What I can do from now on is restrict access and password protect my network to ensure that this does not happen again under my supervision.
Thank you for the notification.
Mr. xxxxxxxx,
<o></o>
Thank you for your reply. If you have an unsecured wireless router, it is within the realm of possibilities that someone other than you or your roommate made this material available over the VT network. Therefore, it is wise that you have chosen to password protect your router to prevent receipt of future copyright complaints. However, under the Virginia Tech Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), "you are responsible for all activities on your userid or that originate from your system."
<o></o>
Further questions about this case should be referred to Judicial Affairs' staff. They may be contacted by phone at 1-3790 or by e-mail to [email protected]. They also have a web site at www.judicial.vt.edu.
<o></o>
Thank you,
Phil Norman
<o></o>
Thank you for your reply. If you have an unsecured wireless router, it is within the realm of possibilities that someone other than you or your roommate made this material available over the VT network. Therefore, it is wise that you have chosen to password protect your router to prevent receipt of future copyright complaints. However, under the Virginia Tech Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), "you are responsible for all activities on your userid or that originate from your system."
<o></o>
Further questions about this case should be referred to Judicial Affairs' staff. They may be contacted by phone at 1-3790 or by e-mail to [email protected]. They also have a web site at www.judicial.vt.edu.
<o></o>
Thank you,
Phil Norman
<o></o>
The Wire
<o></o>
...has (have) been found available to the public via your network"
So they way I see it is that they are just making mention that it was made available, not that it was downloaded or uploaded. Can you get into a lot of trouble for that? Or just a warning?
Regardless, I'm trying to figure out the next move from here minimizing the consequences. Should I call and try to iron it out over phone? Should I e-mail them back? Should I just take the hit?
I was thinking of e-mailing them back and asking what type of trouble can be gotten into from someone who was completely unaware of the situation. Or what happens if my friend is able to track down the culprit.
Feedback?
Comment