Although Ohio University has cracked down on peer-to-peer file sharing over the Internet, students sharing files within the network violate copyright law with impunity — for now.

One of these intranet file-sharing rings is run from East Green, where a university-provided computer allows students to swap movies, music, software, pornography and an eclectic mix of other files that include military training manuals and fliers promoting file-sharing. When the owner installed the “hub” program — which allows sharers to find each other — late last month, he took over the DC++ file-sharing network from a male senior who decided he couldn’t take the risk any longer.

“I think it’d be better if no one really knows how the hub was run,” said the male senior. “I would hate to see (the university) single out the owner of the hub and make an example of them.”

Because files are shared within the OU network, sharers get higher transfer speeds than peer-to-peer networks that extend outside the university. This also protects DC++ users from copyright enforcement companies hired by the movie and music industries, which cannot access OU’s DC++ hub.

Both students asked not to be identified, fearful of punishment from the university — which has announced its intention to break up file-sharing groups that operate within its network but has not set a date. Malcolm Smith, director of University Judiciaries, said that running a file-sharing server is more seriously considered than other forms of file-sharing because of its clear intent.

Although the DC++ Facebook group lists more than 80 members, the most users ever on the network at one time was close to 60, said the hub’s most recent operator. The average is between 20 and 30.

“Freshman year, it was the place for geeks and nerds to talk,” said senior Mike Carey, who ran the hub for two years. Since then, the number has fallen from a high of 150, he said, adding that he is not sure if it will continue to operate after this year if interest does not increase.DC++ is built around a chatroom, where users can talk, view and search shared files. The chatroom separates DC++ from other, more impersonal peer-to-peer programs, Carey said.

To log onto the DC++ server, a user must share files totaling at least 128 megabytes. Normally between 1.4 and 1.7 terabytes are shared on DC++, but the largest amount of files shared on the network at once was 2.98 terabytes — the storage capacity of about 76 of the newest residence hall computers.

Each time a user logs on, they are greeted with a disclaimer that reads in part, “It is your personal responsibility to verify that you use this software in compliance with applicable copyright and other intellectual property laws.”

Every user interviewed said almost all files on OU’s DC++ hub are illegally shared.

Under a university policy announced April 26, anyone using a peer-to-peer program will lose Internet access. Students must promise to delete the program and stop sharing files to have their Internet connection restored. On the second offense, students can be charged with failure to comply and misuse of the university network.

Repeat offenders could face suspension, Smith said.

Intranet file sharers are not subject to the new university policy because only peer-to-peer traffic entering and leaving the university network is monitored — for now.