Terminator targets P2P

Ahh-nold wants to terminate illegal and unsafe use of peer-to-peer file-swapping software in most California government agencies, including the University of California and California State University systems.

According to this executive order, Gov. Schwarzenegger has directed the State Chief Information Officer to create a peer-to-peer policy for state agencies and departments.

The order "shall not prohibit...file-sharing programs that do not pose risks to the security and integrity of state computer systems or that are not used for illicit purposes." But it does ask the state chief information officer to "explore the availability and cost effectiveness of filtering, screening or blocking types of technology applicable for use on state government computers and networks," among other things."

Lots of employers already screen for illegal P2P usage, which can lead to copyright liability and potential settlement costs. So it's perhaps surprising that it took this long for the state that hosts Hollywood to weigh in. It certainly can't hurt Schwarzenegger's standing with the entertainment industry.

"The Motion Picture Association of America and its member companies applaud Governor Schwarzenegger's prohibition of illegal downloading of copyrighted works on all state computers," the film industry lobby wrote on Friday.