University, Entertainment Industry Leaders Issue Report To Congress On Latest Efforts To Curb Illegal File Sharing On College Campuses

August 24, 2004

A joint committee of leaders from the higher education and entertainment communities today submitted a report to Congress outlining efforts during the past year to address illegal file sharing on college campuses.

The Joint Committee of the Higher Education and Entertainment Communities was formed two years ago to develop collaborative solutions to address illegal file sharing at colleges and universities. It is comprised of leaders representing universities, higher education organizations, and music and motion picture executives.

The committee aims to provide a range of resources to school administrators in three basic areas: educational efforts (including practices surrounding the use of copyrighted works and student responsibility), technological solutions (including computer network management technologies available to reduce illegal file sharing and the development of legal, campus-based music and movie/entertainment services), and examining differences and exploring prospects for collaboration on legislative initiatives.

The report released today will be submitted to the House of Representatives House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, which has long been interested in illegal file sharing on college campuses.

“Compared to the beginning of last year’s school session, there has been a sea change in the university digital music landscape,” said Cary Sherman, President, RIAA. “What a difference a year makes. New partnerships between legal music services and universities are beginning to proliferate, and schools are moving to get a technological handle on bandwidth-clogging file sharing networks. We still have our work cut out for us, but this past year has shown real promise and progress.”

“I have been pleased with the great progress made by the higher education community in addressing piracy on our campuses,” Graham Spanier, president of Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and the Committee’s other co-chairman. “We are seeing some creative and responsive initiatives while at the same time educating our students about intellectual property.”

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review 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.