Contact: Alice Smith, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, (517) 432-4770; or Russ White, University Relations, (517) 432-0923, whiterus@msu.edu

11/11/2003

Peer-to-peer file sharing has become part of our everyday lives. Every month, billions of music files are swapped. Although online piracy was initially limited to music, the practice has spread to books and movies due to increased bandwidth and the emergence of more advanced compression technologies. To help understand the legal, economic and ethical implications of peer-to-peer file sharing, a panel of experts from different disciplines and organizations will explore the implications and lead an open exchange of ideas and opinions:

• Gary Reid, distinguished senior specialist, Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University (moderator)
  
• Richard J. Enbody, associate professor of computer science and engineering, College of Engineering, Michigan State University
  
• David A. Gift, vice provost, libraries, computing and technology, Michigan State University
  
• Robin D. Gross, executive director, IP Justice
  
• Peter K. Yu, assistant professor of law and director, Intellectual Property and Communications Law Program, Michigan State University-DCL College of Law; adjunct professor of telecommunication, information studies and media, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University

Topics will include:

• The mechanical aspects of security - can file sharing be anonymous?
• How does the university deal with students who they "catch" file sharing? Do they turn them in?
• Are we losing our civil liberties? Is the industry abusing us?
• What are the legal issues involved?

The open forum takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in Room 147 of the Communication Arts and Sciences Building on the MSU campus.

It is sponsored by MSU’s Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law, the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences, the Intellectual Property and Communications Law Program at Michigan State University-DCL College of Law and The Cybersecurity Initiative.