Within a month of its launch at Ball State University, 6,421 students went online to download music from the Ruckus server. However, some students are abusing the system by stripping files of their anti-piracy coding.
The software Ruckus uses is Windows-based and is not compatible with old Apple technology that doesn't run both the MAC OS and Windows.
Another problem is that Apple uses Digital Rights Management software to maintain the integrity of files from the iTunes Music Store and will not license the DRM to other companies, such as Ruckus, for use. Computers that cannot run Windows cannot use Ruckus.
To circumvent this issue, students have found DRM stripping software that removes all copyright protection coding from the files.
"I am not surprised [by the illegal downloading]," Asher Lisec, Student Government Association president, said, "but SGA must keep the stance that this is something that we do not condone and we feel that it is illegal." Watch a NewsWatch interview with Lisec here.
The Ruckus Music Server was installed at Ball State on Sept. 6. Students who have either a Windows-based computer or a new Apple computer with the Intel processor supporting both Mac OS and Windows, can access the music server via ruckus.com by creating a free account.
"When the idea came about to have a music server brought to the campus, we wanted students to have access to free music, as well as help with stopping the illegal downloading and stealing of music," Lisec said.
Ed Cheely, director of campus sales for Ruckus, said the company was aware of the problems the music industry faces with illegal downloading.
"Its been very difficult to maintain exclusivity," Cheely said. "Microsoft has huge presence over operating systems, but yet they haven't excluded others such as Apple or Linux from being popular as well."
While licensing for operating systems can be quite complex, Cheely said music is not, and hoped changes in music licensing would come within the next several years.
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