Friday, September 27, 2002

House Members Approve Language Easing Some Copyright Rules for Online Courses By DAN CARNEVALE Washington Language that members of Congress added to an appropriations bill that passed the House of Representatives on Thursday would make it easier for professors to use more kinds of copyrighted works in online courses. The legislation would amend the Copyright Act of 1976 so that online-education instructors could use recordings of dramatic literary and musical works -- such as plays, musicals, and operas -- without seeking permission from the copyright owners. Under current law, only nondramatic literary and musical works can be used in such courses without permission. The language was originally part of S 487, a bill called the Technology Education and Copyright Harmonization Act, or TEACH Act. The bill passed the Senate last year and received approval from the House Judiciary Committee in July. A House Judiciary Committee staff member said House members decided to add that act's language to the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, HR 2215, which provides money for the Justice Department for another year. The Justice Department appropriations bill passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 400 to 4. Although S 487 has already passed the full Senate, a conference committee of the two chambers will have to decide whether to keep the language in the appropriations bill. The House and Senate will then vote on the appropriations bill again before it is sent to President Bush for his signature. Background article from The Chronicle: House Panel Votes to Ease Copyright Restrictions (8/9/2002) Easy-to-print version E-mail this article

Graduation rates for college athletes hit all-time high INS adds new database fee for colleges, but may cut another for foreign students U. of Southern California will spend $100-million to add 100 to its faculty Shift at foundation would diminish Lincoln University's influence over art collection U. of Maine discriminated against professor with asthma, state panel decides Federal agency awards $10-million in grants to support library projects House members approve language easing some copyright rules for online courses Changes to financial-aid limit for distance programs will not come this year, senator warns University orders student group to remove online link to a rebel group's Web site