UW won’t block Napster

The university will not block access to Napster, an Internet web site, Chancellor David Ward says in a letter. Ward sent the letter to attorney Howard E. King, who asked the university to block access to the music-sharing service on behalf of his clients, recording artists Metallica and Dr. Dre.

The text of the letter follows:

September 27, 2000

King, Purtich, Holmes, Paterno, & Berliner, LLP
Twenty-Fifth Floor
1900 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067-4506

Dear Mr. King:

As part of its educational and research mission, the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides access to the Internet and all of its services to our students, faculty and staff. The University does not regulate Internet access. By requesting the University to ban access to Napster, you are asking us to regulate the Internet services available to our community.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison supports copyright protection. After all, as a major research institution, we create a fair amount of intellectual property on our campus. However, limiting Internet access and making content-based decisions for our University community runs counter to our fundamental and cherished concepts of academic freedom and free speech, which are the linchpins of our mission to teach, research and disseminate information.

In the event we receive a complaint about an identified student, faculty or staff member who has allegedly infringed upon the copyrighted work of another copyright holder, we investigate the complaint, notify the party, and take appropriate action.

Your pending lawsuit is between the recording artists and Napster. The University of Wisconsin–Madison will not intervene at this time and will not limit access to Napster or to other Internet services. We understand that the court will rule on this matter on or about October 2, 2000. We will follow the development of your lawsuit as it makes its way through the courts.

Sincerely, David Ward
Chancellor