Washington - Congress last week approved a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a wide-ranging bill covering U.S. universities that includes controversial new provisions governing how schools deal with file-sharing on campus.

The law requires that universities offer legal alternatives to illicit file-sharing networks, as well as develop plans to combat illegal file-sharing via methods including "technology-based deterrents."

The law does not mandate any specific actions, but asks that schools inform Congress of their particular campus network policies, and educate students about copyright laws and potential penalties for infringement.

In the version of the bill that passed, schools will not be at risk of losing federal funding if they do not comply with the file-sharing provisions.

Copyright advocates including the National Music Publishers Association and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) praised the vote, with the MPAA indicating that it will be mailing pamphlets to universities on actions they can take to comply with the new law.

Higher education groups like Educase argue that the new law may place unfair burdens on schools to develop programs to meet the law's standards.

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http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2326961,00.asp