There is currently a new educational bill in the House of Representatives, which, if passed, would turn every public United States of America college and university in to a copyright police force.

The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 (COAA, PDF link) has made its way through the House Education and Labor Committee with a rather ominous clause.  Section 494 of the COAA states during the application and financial aid portion of a students admission, they school would have to inform the students of its policies regarding copyright infringement.

It goes on to say that the school would also have to take steps to prevent any form of illegal peer-to-peer traffic.  They would also be required to provide students with legal alternatives such as a subscription to a music service such as Napster.

The penalty for not following this bill, if it is to pass, would be that the government could withhold federal financial aid from the institutions.

The Association of American Universities sent a letter (PDF link) dated November 7th to Geroge Miller, a Democratic Representative from California, who co-sponsored the bill.  The letter states Associations dismay over the fact that this action would essentially turn the Secretary of Education in to “an agent of the entertainment industry.”

While this bill still has a long way to go before becoming law, it signals a disturbing new angle in the MPAA and RIAA’s war on illegal downloads.  While they have every right to combat piracy, do they have the right to essentially blackmail universities in to falling in to line?  This proposed punishment would effect all students, not just those doing the file sharing.

This bill will have to pass the House, then go to the Senate before it goes up to the President, so there are chances for it to change still. 

Related:

Entry was posted on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at 6:42 pm under Legal.

Read more entries by Sean P. Aune.
Stumble It!