"I am [more] concerned by the spreading cancer aspect [of this suit]," the source said.

B.U. has already received inquiries from unnamed other parties who are interested in bringing legal actions against such on-line term paper companies, Carleton said.

Carleton said that students have also received the lawsuit with open arms.

"Students are pleased to hear the outrage expressed. Most kids do their own work," Carleton said.

Robert B. Donin, University attorney for Harvard's General Counsel's Office, said that Harvard has not yet made a decision as to whether the University will join the legal battle.

"We are studying the complaint and have not made any decisions about whether to get involved," he said.

This is not the first suit brought by B.U. against companies selling term papers.

Twenty-five years ago, B.U. brought a suit against term paper mills. After winning an injunction against several companies, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a law one year later outlawing the practice