Sample Survey of UC Community:

We need your help in explaining what can happen to UC students and employees if they illegally file-share copyrighted material on campus networks.

Background: The Recording Industry Association of America has become more aggressive in targeting students who illegally download copyrighted music and movie files over the Internet. Copyright holders are issuing infringement notices to universities across the country, targeting specific campus users. Universities are not liable for such infringements on their networks (given that they follow certain provisions.) Instead, an individual student is liable to lawsuits directed at them by copyright holders for lost profits.

No matter how you feel about the issue, UC students need to be aware that the music industry and other copyright holders are cracking down and randomly monitoring networks across the country. Given that, all UC campuses have undertaken efforts to better educate students on this issue. The following messages are being considered as educational tools for campuses to use on their web sites, on posters and in written materials that could be sent to students, parents and other members of the campus community.

Your input in helping fine-tune these messages is essential: We would greatly appreciate your time in completing the attached questionnaire. This is an education campaign - not an attempt to take a position on the larger issue. The goal is for UC, to the best extent possible, protect students and parents from exposing themselves to this kind of liability. All of your responses to this survey will be kept anonymous, and would not be used against you in anyway.

QUESTIONNAIRE

PART 1.

1. Have you heard about the issue of illegal file-sharing? If so, please briefly summarize what you know about it:
2. Are you aware of the ways that students are currently being targeted by recording industry lawsuits? If so, please summarize:
3. Are you aware of the financial and criminal penalties for illegally file-sharing copyrighted material?
4. If you knew it was illegal - would you file-share anyway? If you would, why?
5. If you knew that the chances of being personally targeted by a recording industry lawsuit was very high, would you stop file-sharing?
6. What if the chances of being targeted were much slimmer - say 1 in a 1000. Would you stop file-sharing - or be worried about doing it?

Part 2.

Please read the slogans and messages in the three posters and answer the following questions.

1. Do you think these messages will discourage students from uploading copyrighted material?
2. If not, what messages would resonate with you - or persuade a student to stop uploading content?
3. Does one of the vignettes [A, B or C] persuade you more than others? Which is the most effective? Which is the least effective?
4. Would letting parents know about this liability (in letters home - or in other ways) have an effect in discouraging students from uploading copyrighted material?
5. Do you have other suggestions about how the University can educate students about illegal file-sharing and the potential penalties?
6. Do you have suggestions about how these messages can best be delivered to students? (i.e., when you first get your campus account; on campus web sites, in letters home, posters in residence halls/computer labs, signs in local stores, etc.)