n As a Boston University alumnus, I find myself compelled to pass along pertinent information to assist the students and the university fight back against an attacker whose purpose is to extort money and alienate its customer base (“RIAA offers settlements to students for filesharing,” Mar. 2, p. 1). I’m specifically talking about the RIAA and its decision to start suing more students.

There has been much Internet chatter regarding the RIAA’s recent decision to ramp up lawsuits specifically targeting the students of colleges and universities. Most of it is anti-RIAA, and rightfully so.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an advocate for stealing from artists. However, the methods employed by the RIAA in determining its targets are seriously flawed at best, and downright criminal at worst.

Secondly, it is skirting on the edge of ethics and legality when it gets the courts involved in an attempt to extort money from its victims. Since college students are generally some of the most cash-strapped individuals out there, they are generally unable to afford a lawyer, and having to “settle” for $3000 could have a derailing effect on their education. Most victims choose to settle because it’s potentially less expensive, and they are unaware of their legal options. Ray Beckerman is trying to change that.

For those of us who are unfamiliar, Ray Beckerman is a New York-based lawyer who runs a blog detailing the ongoing events regarding the RIAA and has represented many targets of these lawsuits. He has written an open letter to universities whose students have been targeted in lawsuits. Though the letter is geared at university administrators, it is also a very good resource for students as well.

Johnny Gardner

CAS ’03