[IP] more on good set of questions -- Antipiracy bill targets technology
Begin forwarded message:
From: DV Henkel-Wallace <gumby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: June 20, 2004 3:43:49 AM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IP] Antipiracy bill targets technology
On 19 Jun 2004, at 09:31, David Farber wrote:
From: EEkid@xxxxxxx
Antipiracy bill targets technology
Originally, the Induce Act was scheduled to be introduced Thursday by
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, but the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed
at the end of the day that the bill had been delayed. A representative
of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a probable co-sponsor of the
legislation, said the Induce Act would be introduced "sometime next
week," a delay that one technology lobbyist attributed to opposition
to the measure.
It's hard for me the layman to understand the level of risk here
(although we should actively oppose this bill). But if this is coming
out of committee now, and there isn't already a corresponding bill in
the House, is there really time to enact a law before congress adjourns
for the election?
Another interesting point about this bill: it proposes to criminalize
"counseling" someone about violating a copyright. That seems clearly
and unambiguously a first amendment violation (as opposed to
"inducing", which is also called out and perhaps may be more easily
criminalized) that would be struck down by the courts. So what's the
deal? Is there a kind of modern-day publicity angle: if your law is
part of a high-profile court case then you hope to get your name in the
papers? Or if the courts strike down a sliver of your law you hope
that people will take that to mean that the rest has been endorsed?
VCRs are not going to be outlawed. Is this bill really a clear and
present danger, or is it just posturing by Orrin Hatch for his
investors, err, supporters?
-d
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