Though Ruckus was introduced across campus at the beginning of the quarter, many students say they do not see it as a viable option for downloading music.
“What’s Ruckus?” said Kate Schott, a first-year global studies student.
This is the frequent response that students on campus give when asked about the music service that UCLA is promoting in an attempt to curb the growing number of students that illegally download media items.
In the 2006-2007 academic year, UCLA received an estimated 1,400 copyright infringement claims. This amounts to more than five claims per day, and is more than any other UC campus.
These alarming statistics have prompted the entertainment industry to take action to protect its interests.
“UCLA is being scrutinized under the microscope of the entertainment industry,” said Jonathan Curtis, manager of technological development for student and campus life.
Because of this scrutiny, the Get Legal program is trying to educate students about the legal implications of illegal downloading.
Curtis said Ruckus was introduced so that more students would use this program and less would commit illegal downloading activities.
So far, 3,500 UCLA students have signed up for the service according to Curtis, who said he sees this as a sign of success. He pointed out that the last vendor of legal downloadable items, CDigix, whose music service, CTrax, was discontinued in April 2007, had only about 2,000 student subscribers.
While the numbers seem promising, the fact remains that students do not see Ruckus as being the success that directors of the Get Legal program do.
“I just haven’t heard enough about it,” said Madushka De Zoysa, a first-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student.
Students across campus agree with De Zoysa that the promotion of Ruckus has not been strong.
“I didn’t even know what it was until now,” Schott said.
The university maintains it is doing all it can to educate students to the detrimental consequences of breaking the law.
“We are being very proactive with the resources we have,” said Bridget Le Loup, resident director of Hedrick Summit.
Curtis said that with the little money the university can allocate for promotion and outreach, every cent is being used to try to bring awareness to the consequences of illegally downloading.
The university’s attempts, however, do not seem to be working.
“It still has not been promoted enough,” Schott said. “This far into the quarter, I have not seen any brochures or anything that would make me want to check it out.”
In addition, De Zoysa said the university needs to understand that students will not go out of their way to find out about Ruckus.
“While it may be the student’s responsibility to find the information, everyone knows it won’t happen,” De Zoysa said. “The university needs to take this into consideration.”
Another major drawback of Ruckus is the fact that it is only compatible with Windows-based computers and Windows Media Player portable players, and not with Macs or iPods.
“Ruckus, while I believe has potential to be a successful music service to students, does not specifically suit my needs because I have an iPod,” said Amanda Pham, a first-year anthropology student. “I can’t carry Ruckus around campus.”
But according to Curtis, an even bigger problem is that students still do not understand the ethical implications of illegally downloading music and movies.
“Students do not physically make the connection,” Curtis said.
The majority feel that meddling in illegal activity is worth the risk.
“Students just don’t think they will be caught and so, they won’t take the time to hear about something like Ruckus,” De Zoysa said.
Schott said that because students do not know people in particular who have been caught, they believe that they have nothing worrying about.
“Students have a vague sense that they might get in trouble, but it is not definite,” Schott said.
Ultimately, Curtis said programs like Get Legal should not be treated like the scapegoat.
“We are not the press agent of the entertainment industry,” Curtis said. “We are not their ally. We are compelled by federal law to uphold the law.”
Curtis said the Get Legal program is not trying to market a music service like Ruckus. Instead, Curtis said it is giving students one legitimate alternative in lieu of getting caught breaking the law and having to suffer the consequences. Curtis said that in the end, students are adults who are responsible for making informed decisions.
“Before jumping from a ledge, students need to see how far they are jumping,” Le Loup said. “Students just put on the blindfold and leap.”