P2P File-Sharing Alert
P2P file-sharing software is not itself unlawful, but its use for unauthorized downloading and uploading of copyrighted music and other works may well constitute copyright infringement.
Please be aware that Princeton Theological Seminary is under no legal obligation to defend, or accept responsibility for, the illegal actions of their students in the P2P context. However, to assist individuals to understand their liabilities regarding unlawful P2P activities on college and university campuses, we have provided several resources to educate the Seminary community about their rights and responsibilities with regard to copyrighted works on P2P services
There are three types of infringement. Under direct infringement, a person is liable for his own infringing conduct; under contributory infringement, a person may be liable if she knows of the infringing activity and induces, causes, or materially contributes to the infringing conduct of another; and under vicarious infringement, a person may be liable if he has the right and ability to supervise the infringing activity and also has a direct financial interest in the activity. Most users of P2P networks who infringe do so directly. Absent directly infringing conduct, however, students who operate, encourage, or actively induce the use of such networks may be open to contributory or vicarious infringement claim
The basis for copyright law is found in Article I of the U.S. Constitution and codified in Title 17 (the “Copyright Act”) of the United States Code. The Copyright Act lists exclusive rights of copyright holders, including reproduction and distribution of their copyrighted works, both of which are implicated in P2P file sharing. The Copyright Act does not require a showing of intent in order to find civil liability for infringement.
To find more information, please find the following resources: