Letter to the editor

Copyright infringement taken too lightly

Having received several e-mails recently regarding the
downloading and distribution of copyrighted materials from various
offices around UCLA, including the office of Chancellor Carnesale,
I was reminded of how common copyright infringement is on
campus.

Like many other students, I know that this sort of behavior
reflects poorly on UCLA as an institution that generates a large
amount of intellectual property itself. Also, like many other
students, I have grown jaded by the practice and often ignore it
when I see it or hear about it, considering it a relatively small
offense carried out by individuals who I regard to be of generally
good character otherwise.

There comes a point, however, when the commission of even small
offenses is so flagrant that it becomes impossible not to raise an
eyebrow. I am both shocked and disappointed that neither UCLA nor
the Elections Board took action when candidates for Undergraduate
Students Association Council office were on Bruin Walk distributing
CDs that contained mixes of copied music ““ some songs even
listing the contributing candidates.

While it is possible that the individuals involved obtained
licenses to distribute all of that music, I saw no statements to
that effect on the CDs and consider it highly unlikely. Looking
back on the e-mails and notices I have received, I wonder what the
chancellor’s office must think about having these students as
representatives.

Michael Weinstein Fifth-year, microbiology, immunology
and molecular genetics

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