University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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An eclectic pile of burned CDs litters the desk of a University student. Many students used CD- writing programs and burners to write music and data files onto compact disks. . Boyles photo Sopho more economics major Jason Kesner visits the new Napster website. Napster, a popular mp3 and multimedia downloading site, reopened with a new policy charging money in exchange for allowing registered users to download music. . Weiner photo me ' ' wkersiiftkywi d consumers coul ind (hare movie ID Downloading Music 107

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direc ft from the net legal issues of downloading music The scandal surrounding Internet piracy gained momentum during the 2003-2004 academic year, and not without significant activity on the University campus. After the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) failed to curtail the popularity of file-sharing programs on the Internet, it switched tactics and began directly suing downloaders, including students nationwide. The suits were meant to effect the entire public, explaining to them the illegality and criminality of illegal downloading. Napster, the original peer-to-peer network for users to trade music, was forced to close down in 2001 following a legal battle with recording companies. After the suit, many students on campus encountered problems with other databases like Kazaa during downloads they assumed were preventative measures on behalf of the music industry. A piercing static noise, almost like fingernails on a chalkboard, cuts off the ends of songs a lot. I wouldn ' t be surprised if that is no accident it certainly discourages me from downloading, because half the time I can ' t even listen to the songs, said Jessica Goske, senior sports marketing major. In 2002, Andrew Palms, Director of Program Development for the University ' s IT Communications, said in a letter to students that statistics showed that at least 24% of the by kara deboer University of Michigan ' s Internet use is generated by mp3s. The University encouraged students to curb online music exchanges. Incorporated in the Conditions of Use for students on the University network was an item stating that users could not upload files illegally on the internet. Such activities were monitored by the University Residential Computing staff and, if found in violation, resulted in punishing or legal actions. When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), failed to improve the situation for recording artists frustrated with copyright issues, they took early action on protecting digital programming. In October, the FCC released plans to enforce safeguards on digital broadcasts of television shows and movies. Digital broadcasts were easier than those of satellites or cable networks to distribute on the Internet, and therefore raised much apprehension for Hollywood and other television and movie producers; if they were not prevented, consumers could freely access and share movie and, television files in the same way they had music. At the end of October Napster 2.0 debuted. The newly reconstructed program charged service fees comparative to othei paid downloading programs in addition to one dollar charges fo single songs and ten dollar charges for entire albums. 106 Voices

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Taking a study break from finals, this student works out in the weight room at the Central Campus Recreational Building (CCRB) late one evening. Student demand expanded the daily hours of the CCRB until one o ' clock in the morning during three days of the week and also stirred discussion of renovations of various rooms. . Neff photo 108 Voices