S. Tebben
(Photo used with permission)Aaron Baker was a Freshman when the RIAA came knocking on his door. Now a Junior Political Science major, Baker was actually caught twice, once by the RIAA, and once by Ohio University. He was living in the dorms as all Freshman do, and says it was another case of "I didn't think it would happen to me."
"All my friends used...Limewire and Ares, and I even know upperclassmen that had never gotten caught," Baker said.
Baker said he knows of one other person who was fighting it, but they eventually settled for $3000, just like Baker.
Baker said he knows of one other person who was fighting it, but they eventually settled for $3000, just like Baker.
Like many of the students caught on campus, Baker received a letter from the RIAA warning him that a lawsuit was imminent if he didn't contact the lawyers and negotiate a settlement. Baker's parents paid this fee, and no lawsuit was filed.
Later on, Baker's Internet access was shut off by the University, when their CopySense technology captured his attempts to share music files. Luckily for Baker, the only steps that were taken were to give him a warning to remove the software from his computer or his Internet privileges would be permanently revoked. When he removed the software, the Internet was released and he has since learned his lesson. Even though he is now living off campus, he says he doesn't want to take the chance of seeing litigation again.
Looking back on his experience, Baker says he understands the RIAA's reasoning, but felt the University could have done more.
"The RIAA had a constitutional right to do what they did, but I think the University didn't look out for their students," said Baker, about OU's releasing the names of those illegally downloading music.
Baker also said he went to legal services and was told they "couldn't do anything."
Later on, Baker's Internet access was shut off by the University, when their CopySense technology captured his attempts to share music files. Luckily for Baker, the only steps that were taken were to give him a warning to remove the software from his computer or his Internet privileges would be permanently revoked. When he removed the software, the Internet was released and he has since learned his lesson. Even though he is now living off campus, he says he doesn't want to take the chance of seeing litigation again.
Looking back on his experience, Baker says he understands the RIAA's reasoning, but felt the University could have done more.
"The RIAA had a constitutional right to do what they did, but I think the University didn't look out for their students," said Baker, about OU's releasing the names of those illegally downloading music.
Baker also said he went to legal services and was told they "couldn't do anything."
Unfortunately, Ryan Payne didn't have it so lucky when he was caught illegally downloading songs. Though he also settled out of court with the RIAA, the $3000 he had to pay ended up with larger consequences.
Now living in Columbus, Payne had to take a year off from OU, and his debts from the RIAA litigation were a large reason why.
The process was the same for Payne as it was for Baker, except that Payne only dealt with the RIAA, and never the University. He received his letter, and was given a deadline to respond. He thought about fighting it, but in the end he settled as well.
"It wasn't even worth it, especially because it wasn't even me that downloaded the stuff, it was mostly my friends," says Payne, "I knew tons of people who were doing the same exact thing, but they didn't get caught."
Payne hopes to return to OU this year, without his downloading software.
Now living in Columbus, Payne had to take a year off from OU, and his debts from the RIAA litigation were a large reason why.
The process was the same for Payne as it was for Baker, except that Payne only dealt with the RIAA, and never the University. He received his letter, and was given a deadline to respond. He thought about fighting it, but in the end he settled as well.
"It wasn't even worth it, especially because it wasn't even me that downloaded the stuff, it was mostly my friends," says Payne, "I knew tons of people who were doing the same exact thing, but they didn't get caught."
Payne hopes to return to OU this year, without his downloading software.
1 comment:
Holy crap. I can't believe that illegal downloading had such a harsh consequence and that one person ultimately had to take a year off of school because of it. I'm always tempted to steal music online because it's just so easy. However, reading other peoples' stories is another reminder about how it is just not worth it.
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