The House late Thursday passed the higher education reauthorizati...

trouble and telling them how the school will act against outlaw file-swappers. That provision is also in S-1642, the Senate-approved version. But another House provision bothers education groups whose opposition to a similar amendment to the Senate version got it yanked (WID July 25 p11). The provision would require colleges to develop plans “for offering alternatives” and to “explore technology-based deterrents” to P2P distribution. The provision could be a boon for antipiracy hardware makers like Audible Magic and Red Lambda, which already provide technology to dozens of schools. Ruckus, Napster and other music subscription services, used by some schools but locked out of the iPod ecosystem, also could grow if the measure becomes law. The House bill would have the Secretary of Education offer grants to schools and consortiums encouraging them to deal with piracy through educational programs and “cost-effective technological solutions.” Colleges’ worries go beyond cost. Education technology nonprofit Educause has been lobbying against the filtering and “alternative” provisions. Wendy Wigen, Educause government relations officer, told us a steep downward revision of MPAA campus piracy data (WID Jan 24 p5) had created buzz in House offices the group visited, but apparently not enough to sink the copyright provisions. Educause is pushing to get rid of them in conference, she said. The MPAA called the provisions’ requirements for universities “modest,” but a “significant step toward educating students” and reducing illicit swapping. “This is an enormous step forward,” said National Music Publishers Association President David Israelite. The bill provides a “reasonable and constructive way forward” to reduce piracy on “publicly funded campus networks,” he said.