Downloading music and movies off the internet in the residence halls resulted in around 50 cease and desist orders each month, according to a March 31, 2004, Northern Star article. 

13 years ago, the Northern Star reported that a third-party agent such as NetPD sent the orders to the NIU Information Technology Services. After NIU received the orders, they asked students who had been found guilty of illegal downloads to sign a document stating they would not download illegally again. 

When illegal downloading occurs on the university’s network, they have to take action against the person downloading or take responsibility as the network owner. 

“The music industry takes this very seriously, and so do we,” Larry Bolles, former director of the University Judicial Office, said. “Any student who is caught downloading illegal material on university computers risks losing [his or her] access to university computers and space in the residence halls and can be suspended from the university altogether for one semester.” 

If students are found illegally downloading or distributing copyrighted materials today, NIU requires the following:

• The device used for downloading will be disabled from using the network connection
• An email notification of violation will come from [email protected].
• The alleged violating software must be disabled.
• The student must meet with the NIU Abuse Investigator. 
• Students could face criminal and/or civil prosecution for sharing copyrighted materials. 

Read more about NIU”s copyright policies here.