'It has been clear for a longer period that these practices are not exclusive to the UT', according to spokesman Tim Kuik. Because of their computing power university networks are, according to him, even essential to internetsites exchanging software. 'If these could be taken out, the services would work much slower and less efficiently.'
Kuik will not say which universities he suspects. But most suspect are those institutes where people have direct access to university servers. For example via the cable, or, as in Twente, on a campus. 'The UT did lead the pack with regard to reports of illegal software', according to Kuik.
Brein wants make a deal with all universities in the Netherlands, the same as the one they made with the UT. Kuik: 'Our experts find out what is on offer and check whether any of it is illegal software. The university board then has to take measures accordingly.'
This voluntary procedure is also in force for Dutch internet providers. Stricter measures are also a possibility. Kuik: 'Just like internet providers, universities can be held legally accountable if they refuse to take measures after reports of illegal practices.'
However, Brein expects co-operation on a broad scale, in part on the basis of a positive response from the University of Groningen. Kuik: 'They also benefit. The programmes take a lot of room. The software exchange causes overloading of networks meant for something else.'
