File sharing is a part of today's fast-paced, digital lifestyle. Sharing photos of family events, holidays with friends, and fun stuff happening on-campus. Downloading music from your favorite on-line stores, like Apple's iTunes, Wal-Mart's Music Store , and Yahoo's! MusicMatch. Or trading files with your latest short story, love letter, or personal manifesto.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte does not expressly prohibit file sharing or the use of Peer-to-Peer networks, services, or software(P2P), however, University policies do outline your responsibilities when engaging in this type of activity. In certain cases, some file sharing applications are blocked by the University on the ResNet network to ensure network stability, safety, and security.

Details on these policies can be found on-line:

• UNC Charlotte Policy 8 on the World Wide Web
• UNC Charlotte Policy 10 on Network Security
• UNC Charlotte Policy 66 on the Responsible Use of Computing Services
• Addendum to UNC Charlotte Policy 66 on Peer to Peer File Sharing

Sharing Safely

We encourage our residents to enjoy this new era of digital life, but to do so safely! One of the biggest threats to your computer and all of your hard work (not to mention your files, music, photos, and other software), is opening attachments that you weren't expecting to get. Opening attachments that you didn't know were coming, even those that look like they came from a friend of family member, can contain software that is harmful to you and your PC.

Remember, it is not simply enough to delete unknown sender's e-mail messages and their attachments! If you get something from a friend or family member and you were not expecting it, contact them to verify they sent it. If they didn't, throw it away and DO NOT OPEN IT! The same rule applies to files sent to you via Instant Messaging software (like AOL/AIM, MSN Messenger, or Yahoo! Instant Messenger).

Sharing Responsibly

When you decide to share files with your friends and family, you need to do two things. First, make sure that whatever you are sharing is free from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. To do this, run your Symantec Anti-Virus (which is provided free by UNC Charlotte to all students) or your personal anti-virus software on the files before sending via Instant Messenger or attaching to an e-mail.

Second, make sure you have the legal right to share that file. Just because something is out on the Internet, doesn't make it legal for you to grab it and send it on. If you're not sure, don't share it. Or, if it is on the web, send your friends the link instead of the picture or music or content. Note that student who send illegal items are subject to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws, as well as disciplinary action under University policies.

To learn more about copyright and sharing responsibility, please visit The Copyright Kids website.

The Motion Picture Association of America as well as the Recording Industry Association of America both also offer excellent resources on copyright law and sharing files responsibly.

We also encourage you to check out the University's web page on Guilt Free Computing.