For years, recording companies have been waging a losing war against millions of Net-savvy college students who download and copy digital music or videos and sell or swap them. Many students make illegal use of high-speed computer links owned by universities as administrators catch the flak. Meanwhile, the recording industry and artists claim losses of up to $4.2 billion worldwide. This article describes reactions to this trend by college officials and the recording industry. It focuses on experimental deals developed; future possibilities; and criminal penalties relating to this epidemic.