Colleges Face Strict New File-sharing Rules

Today (July 1) is the day that colleges and universities that receive Title IV funding were to have implemented file-sharing rules under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008.

Among other things, according to CNET, the schools are required to:

• Provide students a description of copyright law and campus policies with regards to violations of copyright law. 
• Combat copyright violations on campus networks using technology-based deterrents.
  
• Offer alternatives to illegal downloading.

Recording Industry Association of America President Cary Sherman noted that although many schools have taken it upon themselves to monitor file-sharing activity, the new law—with the threat of loss of funding—carries extra weight.

"It's the first time ever in the history of dealing with the issue that Congress is holding schools accountable and requiring them to address the problem," he said. "Here you have Congress saying 'Get off the sidelines and deal with the problem.' It's an important signal."