MESSAGE
| DATE | 2003-03-09 |
| FROM | rc
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] The Balance Act
|
http://www.house.gov/lofgren/congress/digital_rights.htm
Digital Rights
For over one hundred years, copyright law meant to strike a fair balance
between the interests of copyright holders and the interests of
society. On the one hand, copyright seeks to encourage and reward an
author?s creative works. But as the Supreme Court stated in Twentieth
Century Music Corp. v. Aiken, ?[p]rivate motivation must ultimately
serve the cause of promoting broad public availability of literature,
music, and the other arts?.?
The challenge today is to maintain the traditional balance in the
digital age by finding ways to prevent and punish digital pirates
without treating every consumer as one. Digital technology lets pirates
make perfect copies of copyrighted works to distribute over the
Internet. At the same time, digital technology lets copyright holders
control how consumers enjoy the books, music and movies they lawfully
purchase.
Contrary to the intent of Congress, the DMCA has been used to legitimize
this control over consumer uses. It?s been used to prohibit lawful
users from circumventing technical restrictions, even to pursue their
fair use rights.
This conduct altered the balance. My bill, H.R. 1066, the Balance Act,
seeks to restore it. Without utilizing government mandates or other
prescriptive measures that will ultimately only stifle innovation, it
gives lawful consumers the tools to enjoy digital entertainment in
their home or car, or on their favorite mobile device. Consumers have
demanded this flexibility. It is time to heed their demands.
Ultimately, this ideal will also help copyright holders. The only
lasting solution to digital piracy is a legitimate alternative that is
affordable, reliable, secure and respectful of consumer rights and
expectations. Providing room for technological innovation will also
spur economic growth and lead to more jobs.
This is the start of a long discussion. Consumers are poised to work
with the technology and entertainment industries to ensure that in the
future, copyrights are protected, innovation is encouraged, and
legitimate rights and expectations are respected.
--
The Microsoft Crackpipe - Everyone uses it, what harm could it be?
Version: 3.12
GB/MC/MU/PA d- s+:+ a C++ L+++ P E- W+++ N++ o? K? w+ O? M? V? PS+ PE+
Y+ PGP t+ 5 X R- tv++ b++ DI D G e++ h-- r++ y+
____________________________
NYLXS: New Yorker Free Software Users Scene
Fair Use -
because it's either fair use or useless....
NYLXS is a trademark of NYLXS, Inc
|
|
