COPYCENSE

“Legislation is being considered in California that would see the state’s educational technology grant program tethered to requirements for teaching copyright law to students. Introduced nearly a year ago, AB 307 would amend section 51871.5 of the Californian Education Code to include new preconditions for public schools applying for funding under the oversight of the California Technology Assistance Project. The project is designed to provide a network of technical assistance to schools and their districts in implementing education technology as determined by the Californian State Board of Education.

“Schools that wish to apply for grants will need to demonstrate that they have a plan to educate their students in three areas: the ‘ethical behavior in regards to the use of information technology,’ ‘the concept, purpose, and significance of a copyright,’ and ‘the implications of illegal peer-to-peer network file sharing.'”

“The bill is the brainchild of California Assemblyman Ed Chavez. Assemblyman Chavez’s office also indicated that the MPAA has formally supported the bill, and the RIAA is also a backer.”

Ars Technica. California Tying Education Tech Grants to Copyright Education. Feb. 15, 2006.

CopyCense™: K. Matthew Dames on the intersection of business, law and technology. A business venture of Seso Digital LLC.