IP Democracy: Hollywood's Plan to Punish the Lowest-Income Students

There's no question that Hollywood has been hard hit by unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content just as there is no question that technology is straining the basic framework of intellectual property in general. But, an MPAA-backed bill that would force universities to impose a technology-based deterrent on its students in order to minimize unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material is an over-the-top solution to the sudden shifts causing old media titans to run for safety.

Not only are institutions of higher learning being asked to police students' online activities under the legislation, but schools that don't participate risk losing their Title IV student aid eligibility. As some commenters have noted (see comments to Bits Blog item here) the legislation, in essence, is forcing universities to help Hollywood protect its business model and postpone innovation, something that is not even remotely related to getting an education.

And it seems so absurd to punish low-income students if schools don't get with this program. Congress would be telling schools that if they don't help the Hollywood studios, their poorest students will be punished. How nuts is that?

Most colleges have been willing to educate their students about unauthorized file-sharing and devise alternative distribution mechanisms (if for no other reason than to get Hollywood off their backs, I suspect.) The college-cop provisions have been snuck in as part of a larger bill called "The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007," which could go to a vote in the House Committee on Education and Labor as early as today.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on November 14, 2007 11:30 AM to IP Democracy