Los Angeles - Several universities have been approached by record labels to discuss a "voluntary blanket licensing" of music to college students, TechDirt reported.

A slide presentation detailing the plan was posted online, listing Mark Luker of Educause, a nonprofit that advances IT in higher education, as its apparent author; Jim Griffin, a veteran digital music executive recently hired by Warner Music Group, is also mentioned, while Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG) itself directly referenced as well.

The proposal would see the record labels cease their lawsuits targeting campus file-swappers, while students would then pay a blanket fee for access to online music in any form they want, including downloading via file-sharing networks.

Schools approached about the proposal reportedly include Columbia, Stanford, MIT, Penn State and UC Berkeley.

When contacted about the slideshow by TechDirt, however, Warner Music distanced itself somewhat from proposal.

"This presentation belongs to someone outside our company and represents that individual's interpretation of issues discussed at meetings held several months ago," Warner Music said in a statement posted by TechDirt.

"Of course, we are actively engaged with universities and other parties to seek a constructive resolution to a complex issue -- how to assure artists appropriate compensation while enabling the widespread dissemination of their work among fans."

Related Links:
http://techdirt.com/articles/20081204/1534153023.shtml

http://snipurl.com/7o0m7 (All Things D)