Peer-to-Peer Policy

We have received a number of inquiries recently regarding the performance of "peer-to-peer" traffic on our network. Simply stated, peer-to-peer activities include the sharing of files - typically music and video - from one user to another. The most popular peer-to-peer services today include applications such as KaZaa, Napster, Gnutella, iMesh, CuteMX, Ares, Bear Share, and FreeNet.

There are several issues and concerns we have related to peer-to-peer traffic:

  1. The consumption of available bandwidth by those individuals engaging in file exchanges. This activity can generate so much data traffic that the network performance of all our users is adversely affected.
  2. The uploading, publishing, transmission, reproduction or distribution in any manner of information, software or other material which is protected by trademark, copyright or other proprietary right without obtaining permission of the copyright owner or right holder is expressly prohibited by federal law.
  3. The attachment of a server (or the execution of a server function) on the Netlink network, which is prohibited by the Netlink User Agreement.
  4. Downloads from unknown users often include extra programs such as viruses, spyware, etc. Netlink recommends you only download from trusted people, and even then, scan the file before you open it.

Netlink has researched the policies and user agreements of several national level and Nebraska-based Internet service providers and our policies in regards to peer-to-peer traffic are similar and consistent with all these providers. Also, unlike many ISPs, Netlink does not currently measure or charge for excess bandwidth consumption by the individual user.

Although we have the ability to do so, under normal circumstances we never monitor the Internet activities for any individual customer. However, if requested by law enforcement officials, we are legally obligated to attempt to identify any customer who is engaging in any illegal activities related to copyright or trademark infringements.
In order to improve the performance of peer-to-peer traffic, we have taken steps to improve the available bandwidth on our network for this activity. However, in order to insure adequate performance for all our customers, we must manage the amount of network capacity used by peer-to-peer traffic. Please be assured we will continue to monitor overall network usage and do everything possible to meet the Internet access requirements of all our customers.


If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the Netlink Service Center at 1-800-734-7467 Option 4 or via email at netlink@gpcom.net .