(no subject)

Psst! Word on the street* is, The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 includes the following delicious language:

Part G of title IV (20 U.S.C. 1088 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:

SEC. 494. CAMPUS-BASED DIGITAL THEFT PREVENTION.

(a) IN GENERAL.--Each eligible institution participating in any program under this title shall to the extent practicable--

(1) make publicly available to their students and employees, the policies and procedures related to the illegal downloading and distribution of copyrighted materials required to be disclosed under section 485(a)(1)(P); and

(2) develop a plan for offering alternatives to illegal downloading or peer-to-peer distribution of intellectual property as well as a plan to explore technology-based deterrents to prevent such illegal activity.

( Read more... )

Why is this objectionable?

1. "Each eligible institution participating in any program under this title" - that is, the entire education section of the U.S. Code - that is, any institute of higher education taking any money at all from the government, including by teaching students that receive government grants - is obliged by this language to both deter illegal filesharing and pay for alternatives like Ruckus.


2. The only means universities have for effectively deterring illegal filesharing are, well, means like these.

* Formally known as "Slashdot".