In Tennessee, a new law has been passed which will force Universities and other Educational Institutions, to patrol for copyright infringement. As the law states, they shall:
[R]easonably attempt to prevent the infringement of copyrighted works over the institution's computer and network resources, if such institution receives fifty (50) or more legally valid notices of infringement as prescribed by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 within the preceding year.
After the Entertainment Industry, through Congress, failed earlier this year to get "hard" requirements for educational institutions, the RIAA actually succeeded in Tennessee, giving publishers the ability to hold feet to the fire with tough standards, under threat of copyright infringement notices. In addition, the law will cost the state some $9.5 million for the initial upstart and over $1.5 million for the continuing operation.
So, let's say I made a funny video. I copyright it, and release it commercially. Then, it suddenly goes viral, and its Internet spread worldwide cannot be feasibly contained. The legal costs to fully address the problem would be exorbitant, making it nearly impossible to get everything. (POOF!) Then a Magic Genie grants me ONE wish, and I ask it to make Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education, as well as taxpayers, pay for my legal expenses. Sweet.
Comments are Closed
Comments