

UNSW pockets $100k for student piracy

UNSW pockets $100k for student piracy
UNSW has reportedly collected around $100,000 after fining students for piracy. (AAP)
The University of NSW has reportedly collected around $100,000 after fining its students for illegally downloading movies and TV shows on its Wi-Fi network.
The university told Fairfax Media it has issued 238 fines to students since 2008 and it is unapologetic about doing so.
According to the school's website, students can be fined up to $1000 for breaching copyright through its internet network indicating the university has pocketed around $10,000 from students to date.
However it is understood that fines are commonly less than $500 and can be lower if the student in question is suffering financially.
"Students who illegally download copyright material such as movies, video, music or games are in breach of the university's policy on IT use," a UNSW spokesperson told the media outlet.
"Users of our internet services are expressly warned that such actions place the individual responsible at risk of litigation for copyright infringement."
She suggests money raised should be returned to the copyright holders was "misguided".

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"The university is not collecting damages on behalf of copyright holders. Nothing the university does affects their separate rights," she said.
"The fines collected are paid into an account for student amenities, for the benefit of all students."
Yesterday, a 27-year-old graduate known only as "KT" was exposed as one of a number of students to receive funds of up to $1000 and possible bans.
"At the time I was angry — being a student a $480 fine was something I didn't need," he said, claiming the offending program reconnected automatically when he accessed the university network.
"But in truth torrents are illegal. UNSW UniWide (Wi-Fi) isn't meant for torrenting. So as much as I didn't like it, the university were well within their rights to fine me and any other students."
Have you been issued with a fine by your university or know of other universities that fine students for piracy or other reasons? Contact Kate Kachor on

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