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Anti-P2P College Bill Moving Through House

Posted by Zonk on from the just-about-the-worst-idea-ever dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A news.com article is covering an amendment to the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (pdf) that should make folks in Hollywood, the RIAA, and the MPAA well pleased. The tiny section seeks to hinge government approval of an institution of higher learning on whether or not they adequately dissuade Peer-to-Peer filesharing of copyrighted materials. The Act came out of the House Education and Labor Committee, which agreed on the terms unanimously. There is still some question, though, as to what penalties should be handed down for institutions that don't do enough to protect intellectual property. 'Some university representatives and fair-use advocates worry that schools run the risk of losing aid for their students if they fail to come up with the required plans. "The language in the bill appears to be clear that failure to carry out the mandates would make an institution ineligible for participation in at least some part of Title IV (which deals with federal financial aid programs)," Steven Worona, director of policy and networking programs for the group Educause, said in a telephone interview Thursday.'" Update: 11/16 16:36 GMT by Z : PDF link corrected.

6 of 334 comments (clear)

  1. Outdated business model cramping your style? by djasbestos · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...make it the law!

    1. Re:Outdated business model cramping your style? by Farakin · · Score: 2, Funny

      I wonder if Mr. Burns is actually the head of the RIAA. "That bill is going to pass sir" "EXCELLENT, Smithers, Excellent."

  2. MPAA & RIAA for Congress by Mrs.+Grundy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why don't we make this all a lot easier to follow and understand: Simply replace the Senate with the MPAA and the House with the RIAA. We'll save some money by not having to pay the middle-men.

  3. Homer by _Shorty-dammit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Every time I see another MPAA/RIAA story I can't help but picture Homer Simpson singing "I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean, S-M-A-R-T!" as he burns his house down.

  4. Have another cigar fellas... by plowboylifestyle · · Score: 4, Funny

    this room isn't smokey enough. Oh and don't worry about the college kids. As I said before college students are not known for rebelling against draconian measures aimed specifically at them.

  5. RIAA declares jihad on higher education by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... you realize how utterly backwards your country is when funding for higher education is based upon compliance with irrational self-aggrandizing laws written by a for-profit entertainment industry.

    Fantastic. Where do I sign up?