University student to be charged for music sharing site

The International Federation of the Phonographics Industry, an umbrella group representing the music industry in Taiwan, lodged a suit against a Chengkung University (成功大學) student for allegedly providing an illegal music-swapping service.

The Tainan District Prosecutors' Office carried out a search of university dorms in mid- April and confiscated the computers of 14 students. While 13 students, who had simply downloaded MP3 files from Internet, were freed from threats of legal actions, the federation has decided to charge one student who allegedly set up a free MP3-music-downloading Web site.

The school's management has said it will provide legal assistance to the accused student.