[Educause 2003] P2P file sharing panel - sweetness and light

Yesterday's general session on P2P file sharing issues in higher ed, which included luminaries Jack Valenti from the MPAA, Cary Sherman from the RIAA, Graham Spanier from Penn State, and Charles Phelps from University of Rocherster, produced none of the anticipated fireworks.

The panelists, along with moderator Mara Liasson from NPR, did a good job of congratulating each other on the work they've accomplished in educating students about the illegality of sharing copyrighted works and how they are open to moving to services which legally allow online distribution of music and film.

There was basically no discussion of any of the difficult issues such as price points, availability, digital rights management, fair use, or first sale doctrine.

While it's good to know that at least the entertainment industry won't hold higher ed institutions to blame for being uncooperative, it would've been nice to see more frank discussion of the places where we differ. Ah well...another time, perhaps.

I imagine that the video from the event will be made public at this site, though it's not there as I write this:

http://www.educause.edu/conference/annual/2003/resources.asp