Idealogian

Overkill

Received this morning:

From: Information Security
To: All [Employees]
Subject: Storing .MP3 and Other Media Files on [Firm] Computer Equipment

What has happened?

Since early 2002 various media industry groups, in particular the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), have been aggressively pursuing companies and individuals that have violated the copyright laws in music and other media. These prior actions have typically focused on issues where companies or individuals have overtly violated copyright in such materials i.e., by deliberate sharing. In recent cases, however, such actions have additionally focused on the mere presence of such material in corporate environments as being indicative of sharing whether or not this was the intent. Long before such industry groups' inquiries it was and remains the policy of the firm in all cases to respect the copyright of all materials.

How does this affect employees?

Storing, sharing, or any other means of loading, copying or distributing personally owned copyrighted material (e.g., music, video, etc.) on [firm] equipment is prohibited. Any such material must be deleted.

What happens next?

Support staff will scan the network and e-mail systems for evidence of inappropriate sharing or storing of such copyrighted material. These scans will be repeated on a regular basis. Employees will be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of copyright violation is discovered.

My response:

From: Reuven Weiser
To: Information Security

I have a question about the e-mail sent out today regarding storing of copyrighted material:

"Storing, sharing, or any other means of loading, copying or distributing personally owned copyrighted material (e.g., music, video, etc.) on [firm] equipment is prohibited. Any such material must be deleted."

Does that mean that if I have purchased a CD, I am not permitted to store a digital copy of it on my own hard drive at work? My understanding is that such an act would be perfectly within my legal rights, even according to the RIAA. Please clarify.

Thanks,
Reuven

Their reply:

From: Information Security
To: Reuven Weiser

Reuven,

Loading MP3's or any other personal media onto firm systems is prohibited. Although you own the CD's, your computer may act as a share point to distribute the material which we cannot easily control. Please delete the files. Your best bet is to use a standalone MP3 player not connected to the firm.

Please let me know if you have any further questions

Thanks
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Obviously, they have a right to regulate the use of the equipment they purchase for us in any way they want to (though we are permitted to use our work computers for other forms of personal use - e-mail, web access, etc. And I already do use a standalone MP3 player). But it's still a bit unsettling to see that people have become so scared of the RIAA that they're banning practices that are perfectly legal and ethical in their own right.