Education Bill Puts Future of Student Financial Aid in Peril

The United States House of Representatives is scheduled today to consider legislation that could cut off federal financial aid for students at universities that fail to monitor student file sharing activities. The peer-to-peer provision, included in the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (COAA), is the latest attempt by some large copyright owners to force universities to monitor their networks on behalf of copyright owners. The legislation would put more than $100 billion in annual student federal financial aid in jeopardy.

"We urge the House to consider common sense today and not allow special interests to hold universities and their students hostage. Academic resources are meant to educate students, not to build police forces for corporations," said Maura Corbett, a spokesperson for the Digital Freedom Campaign.

"Furthermore, requiring universities to spy on their students is an insult to the transparency and openness that is the cornerstone of the academic community. Universities are educators, not corporate enforcement tools," said Steve Worona, Director of Policy & Networking Programs at EDUCAUSE, a partner of the Digital Freedom Campaign. "We reject the contention that campuses play a disproportionate role in the file sharing problem. The requirements of the legislation will increase tuition costs and provide no value."

On January 23rd the Associated Press revealed that a study commissioned by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) contained significant inaccuracies. This report, which served as the basis for much of the MPAA's legislative efforts to combat piracy on college campuses, including the COAA being considered in the House today, inaccurately found that college students were responsible for as much as 44% of the motion picture industry's annual losses. The MPAA now claims that number is closer to 15%, nearly 3 times less than originally reported and conveyed to lawmakers. There are some that believe even this number may be inflated and that the information and methodology of the study are still in question.

The Digital Freedom Campaign's Digital Freedom University program recently concluded its inaugural seven campus Fall educational tour with the mission to educate students and academics about digital freedoms and their rights. The initiative seeks to expand the ability of student leaders and campus-based artists and innovators to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C., as the critical issue of copyright reform in the digital age is debated.

About Digital Freedom: Digital technology enables literally anyone and everyone to be a creator, an innovator or an artist -- to produce music, to create cutting-edge videos and photos, and to share their creative work. Digital technology empowers individuals to enjoy these new works when, where, and how they want, and to participate in the artistic process. These are basic freedoms that must be protected and nurtured. The Digital Freedom campaign is dedicated to defending the rights of students, artists, innovators, and consumers to create and make lawful use of new technologies free of unreasonable government restrictions and without fear of costly and abusive lawsuits. www.digitalfreedom.org

Contact: Jennifer Baskerville 202-683-3145 jbaskerville@qorvis.com