UA releases names of 4 illegal music sharers


By Thuba Nguyen
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Monday, April 5, 2004

The UA released the names Friday of four students who have illegally downloaded music using university networks, complying with subpoenas issued by the recording industry.

The UA received the subpoenas from the Recording Industry Association of America around 2 p.m. Friday, after Federal Magistrate Jacqueline Marshall signed the order, said Sharon Kha, UA spokeswoman.

One student lives in Gila Residence Hall, and another student lives in Skyview Apartments. The third student resides in the Chi Omega sorority house. The fourth student lives in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house.

In addition to the names of the four defendants - designated John Doe because of their unknown identities - the UA will have to release the address, telephone number, e-mail address and Media Access Control address for each defendant.

The UA has five business days to give written notice, which can include e-mail, to the defendants before they release their names to the RIAA.

Kha said the UA would not be involved in the litigation process with the Doe defendants.

"Individuals on campus who are charged with any crime, whether traffic violation or assault ... deal with that accusation privately," Kha said.

Cary Sherman, president of RIAA, said in an online press conference with college editors last month that the recording industry is trying to crack down on illegal music downloading at colleges and universities.

University networks are very attractive places for file sharing because of free and unlimited bandwidth, she said.

Sherman said that, according to statistics posted by universities, 60 to 70 percent of university networks are consumed by file sharing.

The RIAA issued subpoenas to 21 universities and 89 individuals on March 23.

The RIAA is suing on behalf of Sony Music Entertainment, Atlantic Recording, UMG Recordings and Virgin Records America, among other record labels.

Songs that were shared through the network by the Doe defendants included "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran, "Lover Lay Down" by Dave Matthews Band, "I Cry" by Ja Rule, "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode, "I Will Follow" by U2, "Gravity of Love" by Enigma and "Jungle Love" by Steve Miller Band.