Well, it seems (as expected) that Democrats are not immune to the powers of corporate greed. According to this story on C|NET News, there is a provision within a financial aid bill introduced on Friday that includes the following:
According to the bill, if universities did not agree to test "technology-based deterrents to prevent such illegal activity," all of their students--even ones who don't own a computer--would lose federal financial aid.
The net effect of this idiocy - designed purely to appease corporate henchmen from out-of-touch-with-reality groups like the MPAA and RIAA - would be increased cost of attendance. With tuition already increasing at a rate more than double inflation, do we really need another reason for those costs to go up?
The courts have already established that it is incumbent upon the damaged party (e.g. MPAA or RIAA) to identify the offenders and seek recompense directly. This proposed law seems to seek to put the responsibility onto the shoulders of 3rd parties who are already struggling to provide basic Internet services for their students. This bill only serves the needs of the greedy corporations, who are living in a bygone era. It will only serve to increase cost of attendance. Plainly put, it's bad legislation.
Call your Congressperson and tell them to vote against the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (COAA).
