The IT HUB has been closed this morning due to a positive COVID case of one of the staff members.Â
For urgent issues students can go to their Computer User Areas (CUAs) for assistance or for less urgent problems, log a request on servicedesk.sun.ac.za.
IT HUB will be closed until Friday, but we will monitor the situation and keep you updated.Â
With a fast internet connection and unlimited, “free” internet, it’s possible to download movies and series to your heart’s content. Unless you use a pay streaming platform it’s also illegal. Additionally, if you use the university’s network and/or devices it’s also a breach of the university’s Electronic Communications Policy – a policy all students and staff agree to when they annually activate their network access. Therefore your network access can be revoked if you are caught downloading and hosting illegal content.
Up to a few years back television networks and film companies weren’t geared to trace and stop downloading and distribution of illegal movies. It was just too difficult and not cost-effective. This is no longer the case – even in South Africa. Everything you do online can be tracked and traced. Â
Information Technology receive regular notifications from companies such as Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures indicating that illegal, copyrighted material is being downloaded and seeded (distributed) from IP addresses within the university’s network. These emails include the specific IP address which we can trace to the user, the material downloaded and distributed and at which times. When we receive these notifications, we immediately send an email to the user of the address with a written warning. If they do not comply, these companies will take legal action.
The distribution or seeding of copyrighted material without a licence is both a criminal and civil offence in South Africa, even if distribution takes place from BitTorrent. Just because it’s available via a torrent, it doesn’t mean it’s legal.
In South Africa, under the Copyright Law of 1978, you can be sentenced for up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to R10,000 for each item you distribute. Between 2010 and 2012, 200,000 people have been sued for uploading and downloading copyright material via BitTorrent.
So before you download the latest episode of your favourite series or stream movies from an illegal file sharing site, consider the consequences. There are many legal options to watch media online, from Netflix  to Showmax, so rather be safe and legal.
MORE INFORMATION:
How does BitTorrent and seeding work?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrentÂ
http://www.bittorrent.com/help/guides/beginners-guide
Â
Example of a warning letter:
We are writing this letter on behalf of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (“Rights Holder”) who own certain rights under copyright law in the title White House Down.
You are receiving this notice because your Internet account was identified as having been used recently to copy and/or distribute illegally the copyrighted motion pictures and/or television shows listed at the bottom of this notice. This notice provides you with the information you need in order to take immediate action that can prevent serious legal and other consequences. These actions include:
1. Stop downloading or uploading without authorization any motion pictures or TV shows owned or distributed by Rights Holder; and
2. Permanently delete from your computer(s) all unauthorized copies you may have already made of these movies and TV shows.
If this notice is being received by an Internet Service Provider (ISP), please forward the notice to the individual associated with the activities.
The unauthorized distribution or public performance of copyrighted works constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act, Title 17 U.S Code Section 106(3)-(4). This conduct may also violate the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and The Universal Copyright Convention, as well as bilateral treaties with other countries that allow for protection of Rights Holder copyrighted works even beyond U.S borders.
Below is the detail for your reference:
– ————- Infringement Details ———————————-
Title: White House Down
Timestamp: 2013-09-19T23:18:28Z
IP Address: 146.232.***.**
Port: *****
Type: BitTorrent
Torrent Hash: *************************************
 [SOURCE: http://mybroadband.co.za]
Are you a Matie? Then you use SUNLearn.
Face-to-Face SUNLearn Support for students is now available at the IT Hub on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 09h00-17h00.
Do you need assistance with:
Then set up an appointment today by sending an email to: angunge@sun.ac.za
We also offer weekly webinars for basic SUNLearn training for students on Tuesday and Friday at 18h00.
To make a booking for individualised SUNLearn assistance and support, please email angunge@sun.ac.za
All services offered by the IT HUB in the Admin A building – collection of equipment and any type of technical support – are available by prior arrangement only.
Additionally, during the peak period from March to May no staff support will be done at the IT HUB. If staff need technical support, they need to log a request on the ICT Partner Portal after which they will be contacted by a technician for further arrangements.
Students should make appointments by logging a call at the online service desk in advance. Appointments and rrequests can no longer be logged at the entrance to the IT HUB.
You can also call the IT HUB at 021 8089289, but preferably log a request on the ICT Partner Portal. This can be done as follows:
Students and staff members who have lost their student/staff cards are the only unscheduled visitors allowed at the IT HUB, and only between 08:30 and 16:00 daily.
Laundry, meal and printer quotas will be consolidated on Monday 14 December 2020.
Balances for 2020 will be credited against the student accounts. Students will be able to top-up quota for printing and laundry facilities via Snapscan from Monday 21 December.
For more information contact Sean Davidse at Student Fees.
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