Guest experts with various points of view on file sharing were available to answer questions (left to right):

The university's Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Jeff Huskamp, moderated the forum.

Attendees listened to the guest experts introduce themselves and explain their points of view on file sharing. Some discussed possible student consequences to online piracy and others described its effects on their finances and job opportunities. Additional topics included alternative business models for digital media sales and the details of copyright and fair use provisions, among others.

Representatives from Ruckus were present to sign students up for their free service and to give away T-shirts to those who signed up. During the panel discussion, Peter Opere also expressed how Ruckus is part of the solution to the online piracy issue, since students get free music (more than 3.2 million songs to choose from) and the artists still get paid.

Free cookies and other giveaways were available for attendees.

The forum was part of OIT's larger "PlayFair" informational campaign, which aims to educate university community members about copyright law and the many legal options available for downloading digital media.

Dr. William Montgomery, a UM professor of flute, chamber music, and wind pedagogy, explained how copyright infringement through illegal file sharing has reduced his royalty income. "This affects my retirement," he said. "I urge you to think of it in a more human way."

Anne Bowden said that the exclusive rights of creators are rooted in the U.S. Constitution. She also described the concept of fair use and explained that file sharing to increase a personal music collection is not a "fair use" under the law.

Attendees asked the guest experts questions about file sharing and put forth ideas about how the needs of both the music industry and the music consumer could be met. All agreed that it is unlikely for all sides to be completely satisfied and that compromises will be necessary.

One student asked whether the industry should concentrate on coming up with new ways to provide consumers with what they're looking for rather than punishing law-breakers. Most panelists agreed that efforts should continue on both fronts. Professor Montgomery also encouraged students to use their voices in this area: "If you feel that the copyright law is unjust, don't break the law -- do something to change the law."

Cathy Fink is an award-winning artist who sings, yodels, harmonizes, spins tales, and plays a variety of instruments. She talked about her concerns as a member of the artistic community. She expressed that not paying for music affects artists' livelihoods, and could eventually erode the quality of recordings that are available to the consumer. If there's no money to pay the artists and to invest in the best recording equipment, then the quality of the available products will eventually diminish.

Alan VanToai discussed the changes in the music industry through history and also described some ideas for potential changes in the business model for selling music.