I Think that I Invoked George Orwell Prematurely

Cartoon courtesy, XKCD

It appears that web based practice tests have license agreements that forbid you from remembering them: (all emphasis original)

Today's copyright-induced stupidity is brought to you by… a whole host of regulatory institutions. An anonymous Techdirt reader sent in a pointer to this ridiculous warning that greets those accessing the National Association of Legal Assistants practice tests. (Press "Sign In" to view the legal threats pop-up.)

These online practice tests and all items contained herein are protected by federal copyright law. No part of this examination may be copied, reproduced or shared in any manner, in part or whole, by any means whatsoever, including memorization or electronic transmission.

While I realize there have been several attempts to broaden the coverage of copyright and extend its length towards the far end of perpetuity, I was unaware that federal copyright law now provides remedies for the creation of infringing memories.

This would be merely inane (but still noteworthy), if this stupidity began and ended with the NALA's stern warning. But a search for that wording finds examples elsewhere.

Yeah, it ain't just them. It's the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, the Texas Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, and the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

But the one that takes the cake is the Michigan State University, which actually forbids studying:

The examination and the items contained therein are protected by copyright law. No part of this examination may be copied or reproduced in part or whole by any means whatsoever, including memorization, note-taking, or electronic transmission.

Yep, a university has terms that ban studying.

Make the madness stop.