Download Discipline

The Recording Industry (RIAA) is urging colleges to take disciplinary action against students who violate copyright rules. As Interent Service Providers, colleges are obliged by law to take action. However, the RIAA recommendation of "disciplinary action" against students is wholly inappropriate. After all, commercial ISPs can't have their customers thrown out of college or punished beyond cutting off service and giving their names to the RIAA. Copyright violation is a civil complaint, and colleges should never take disciplinary action against students for such legal disputes. Colleges should make it clear that they won't be putting their academic careers in jeopardy for taking on the RIAA.