OSU Police serve search warrants at four residence hall locations

On May 5, 2003 The Ohio State University Police Department served search warrants at
four campus residence hall locations. The warrants sought computers and related property
that were being used in an unauthorized manner and in violation of Ohio law. The
computers seized were being used to operate a file sharing system, known as Direct
Connect, on the university residence hall network, known as ResNet.

Five computers were seized and are considered to be the machines that operated the
Direct Connect network. The network was established by students in the residence hall
system in October 2002 and grew to nearly 3000 users. The file-sharing enterprise
established by the students required membership, had an established set of operating
rules, and sanctions for those who violated the rules.

The search warrants came as the result of a 3 month investigation, conducted by
University Police and the Office of Information Technology, into the unauthorized use of
the university's computer networks and telecommunications fraud. No charges have
been filed in this case. The investigation is ongoing.

Address all inquiries on this case to the Office of the Chief, The Ohio State University
Police Department (Tel. No. (614) 292.3590).