While the majority of illegal copying and distribution of music and movies occurs over the public Internet on peer-to-peer (�P2P�) file-sharing systems, students at colleges and universities have been increasingly using programs like Direct Connect (DC++), MyTunes and OurTunes to engage in such activity on campus LANs without using the broader public Internet.  The perceived security and privacy of these campus LANs give many students incentive to engage in activity they have otherwise learned is illegal and unacceptable. 

�We are appreciative of our partners in the university community and all they have done in recent years to tackle the problem of digital piracy at campuses across the country,� said RIAA President Cary Sherman. �Despite the progress achieved by our collaborative efforts, this remains an ever-evolving problem.  We cannot ignore the growing misuse of campus LAN systems or the toll this means of theft is taking on our industry.  As we prioritize our focus on campus LAN piracy in the coming year, we hope administrators will take this opportunity to fully evaluate their systems and take action to stop theft by all means.�

MPAA Chairman and CEO Dan Glickman said, �Universities are taking action in a host of ways to address the problem of piracy on campus. We are working to provide as much information as we can to help make those efforts effective, and to stay on top of emerging trends in intellectual property theft. Providing information about LAN systems serves to raise awareness and encourage action.�

In letters sent today, the RIAA and MPAA notified 40 university presidents of information indicating campus LAN piracy problems on their campuses.  The universities receiving these letters are located in the following 25 states: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, DC.

The letters encourage administrators to review the use of their computer networks and, if appropriate, take steps to stop and prevent such theft.  Blocking and filtering devices are currently available to help administrators restrict inappropriate use of a campus network.

In April 2003, the RIAA brought lawsuits against the student operators of four campus LAN networks at three schools.  In the wake those enforcement actions, university administrators pulled down at least a dozen campus LAN servers where music theft had been prevalent.  Since then, in addressing university file-sharing, campus LAN piracy is increasingly identified as a key challenge by lawmakers in Congress as well as the Joint Committee of the Higher Education and Entertainment Communities.

�Campus LAN piracy is not new, yet the problem has taken on new urgency,� Sherman said.  �We know from past experience that bringing this problem to light can effect real change. We are hopeful that this new systematic program will yield even more positive results.�

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About the RIAA:  The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA� members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA� also certifies Gold�, Platinum�, Multi-Platinum�, and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino�, an award celebrating Latin music sales.

About the MPAA:  The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. These members include: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.; Paramount Pictures; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal Studios from Universal City Studios; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Media Contacts:

RIAA

Jonathan Lamy

Jenni Engebretsen

Amanda Hunter

202-775-0101

MPAA, Los Angeles

Kori Bernards

818-995-6600

MPAA, Washington, D.C.

John Feehery

Gayle Osterberg

202-293-1966