Re: Do you block P2P ?

[Michael Sinatra <michael () RANCID BERKELEY EDU>]

On 09/03/09 12:32, Jeff Kell wrote:
> Kevin Wilcox wrote:
> > 2009/9/3 mike corcoran <mike.corcoran () wright edu>:
> >
> >
> > > How many of you block P2P on your campus?  If you do block it, how many
> > > complaints do you receive because of it?
> > Isn't blocking P2P a matter of treating the symptom instead of the sickness?
>
> Yes, but it will have to suffice in light of the inefficacy of the
> available vaccines :-)

IANAL, but I'd be concerned that blocking p2p based on what your IPS
thinks is p2p could erode the "safe-harbor" umbrella DMCA provides your
institution.  Because you are actively policing traffic that is
sometimes (commonly? mostly?--but not always) used for copyright
violation, are you therefore liable for violations that get around your
blocks?  I assume that your counsel has reviewed how blocking policies
relate to DMCA requirements, so there probably isn't anything to worry
about.  It does raise my curiosity, though...

michael
UC Berkeley