The BAYU Email

 

I received a BAYU email notification. What do I do now?

 

Here are several options you can consider after receiving a BAYU email notification:

  • Completely remove peer-to-peer filesharing applications on your system to avoid the risks associated with peer-to-peer filesharing technology. (There are numerous important and lawful applications, some of which are used routinely in academic and classroom settings, so this may not be possible or desirable.)

Remember that any time you have peer-to-peer technology on your computer, you're taking a risk. If you decide to use it, you're responsible for your use. Educate yourself about how the technology works and the risks associated with it. And be mindful of the law or other rules and University policies that affect how you may use the technology.

Disabling Peer-to-Peer Filesharing

The University of Chicago Networking Services and Information Technologies website provides excellent and detailed information about disabling many of the most popular peer-to-peer filesharing applications. (P2P applications tend to come and go, so it's important to keep checking your status.)

Following are some key considerations to keep in mind with regard to disabling peer-to-peer applications on your computer (courtesy of Resnet, North Carolina State University):

Turn off the ability to upload from your computer to the Internet.

In the configuration of your P2P software, there is some type of option to "disable uploading to others" or "disable filesharing." Make sure that uploads/sharing are disabled. If you are having trouble doing this, visit the P2P vendor's site for more instructions or contact the Solution Center (515-294-4000) for assistance.

Disable your filesharing applications when you are not actively using them.
By keeping these applications running even when you're away from your computer, you limit the amount of bandwidth available to other students. Many of these applications make it hard for you to fully shut them down, allowing filesharing to take place even after you think you have exited the program. Unless they are explicitly turned off (often from the System Tray), you may still be sharing files. Some applications start automatically when you boot your computer. Make sure to find and disable the option to "start automatically when Windows starts" or "launch on boot".

Removing Peer-to-Peer Filesharing

You can also consider completely removing or uninstalling any filesharing application. A website at the University of Delaware illustrates how to remove filesharing programs in general and LimeWire, one of the most popular peer-to-peer programs, specifically.

Opting Out of Further BAYU Email Notifications

If you have received a notice from BAYU, you may, at your discretion, opt out of receiving additional notices from BAYU for 60 days. Keep in mind that if you are using peer-to-peer technology, you are taking a risk and you always remain responsible for your use. BAYU is designed to help you mitigate your risks and to use University networks responsibly.

Do not opt out of further BAYU notifications lightly.

Many people who infringe on copyrighted materials using peer-to-peer technology do so unwittingly, but not knowing that you were infringing will not exonerate you from being held legally responsible. In October 2007, a jury in Minnesota found Jammie Thomas liable for copyright infringement for uploading 24 songs and awarded the recording industry $220,000; Ms. Thomas argued in her defense that she did not know that she was uploading. The case was appealed, and on appeal, the judgment was raised to 1.9 million dollars.

Several students at Iowa State, who may not have known they were engaging in copyright infringement by unlawfully uploading files, have settled lawsuits with the Recording Industry Association of America; most recently, settlement agreements have been in the range of between $3,000 and $4,000.

You should opt out of BAYU only if:

  • You understand the technology you are using.
  • Your uses are lawful.
  • You are not exposing yourself to unnecessary risk.
  • You would rather not receive one email notice each day you upload.

If you are confident that you're lawfully using peer-to-peer technology and that you understand the risks you are taking, proceed to the opt-out form.

Received a BAYU Notice in Error?

If you believe that you received a BAYU notice in error--that you were not engaged in uploading using peer-to-peer technology--help us troubleshoot the system by sending an email to bayu@iastate.edu.

Remember, BAYU enables you to notice when you are putting yourself, your identity, your data, or other people's copyrighted works at risk.