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IU installs filters preventing use of MP3 music site
April 20, 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University announced today that it will block all IU network traffic related to a popular MP3 music Web site called Napster.com.
"In the rapidly evolving technology related to the Internet, copyright issues in cyberspace remain unclear," said Christopher Simpson, IU vice president for public affairs and government relations. "We believe Indiana University has no liability by allowing access to sites such as Napster. We now believe, however, that our faculty, staff and students could incur legal exposure if they use this technology. Until those unresolved legal issues are clarified, it seems prudent to block the site."
Heavy metal band Metallica, E/M Ventures and Creeping Death Music filed a lawsuit last week against Napster, IU and two other colleges contending copyright infringement. While IU does not believe it has any liability to the plaintiffs, the lawsuit prompted a closer look at access issues.
"This issue has received a significant amount of attention in recent days," Simpson said. "It has caused us to focus on the fact that technology has leaped well ahead of clear legal issues. University policy prohibits violation of copyright laws, and we believe strongly in protecting intellectual property. Those are fundamental tenets that we will not abandon."
Simpson said he hopes a long-term solution can be found to ensure individuals can have access to digital music while protecting intellectual property rights.
(Christopher Simpson, 812-855-0850, csimpson@indiana.edu)