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It's important to remember that the EFF can help you when the fight gets to court, but doesn't necessarily help with the prevention of bad laws in the first place. http://www.ipaction.org/ May be a better site to visit, if you want to influence legislators before they pass laws.

I think this move shows that the rafiaa is at least a bit hesitant to take this matter in front of Congress, where their "file-sharing is piracy" metaphor isn't quite as deeply entrenched (anyone remember Senator Stevens? The supreme court is involved in a very intricate game of precedence and interpretation, and right now one side is just playing a hell of a lot better.

But I think FiniteElementalist hits this one on the head: the Riaa does not want this to become a political hot topic entering a presidential election year in which the Democrats are the odds on favorites. Maintaining traditional corporate infastructure is a Republican mantra, and I don't think you want the future of your industry riding on the right this year! The rafiaa plays the legal game very well, they will not win a popular public debate. Keep calling your congressmen, let them know that this is an issue that could win your vote.

Yeah, it's Monday today so It's my turn to be his google.

http://ipaction.org/action/perform/

OK, doesn't actually mandate TPM OS's, but it's a slippery slope from there...

"I considered forming a PAC after this race and actually I was thinking about doing a technology PAC. I'd really like to see some of these open-source advocates get out there and form their own PAC and be more active in the political process."

What about iPac? They've already endorsed you.

"I considered forming a PAC after this race and actually I was thinking about doing a technology PAC. I'd really like to see some of these open-source advocates get out there and form their own PAC and be more active in the political process."

What about iPac? They've already endorsed you.

There is a group trying to give iPods to our elected officials:

http://www.ipaction.org/

http://ipaction.org/

I find it wonderful how politicians are sapping money out of a lot of technology-based funding and using it for completely different means.

Where's IPAC (http://www.ipaction.org/) when you need them?

http://www.ipaction.org/

http://www.ipaction.org/

Ted Stevens of Alaska introduced the Broadcast Flag into it. Check http://ipaction.org/blog/ for more info.

To your second point: there is actually a special interest group that does just that: iPac http://ipaction.org/.

To quote the site:

"IPac is a nonpartisan group dedicated to preserving individual freedom through balanced information policy.

We believe that technological innovation and individual creativity are vital to the future of this country. We believe that a prosperous and democratic society depends on freedom for all individuals to pursue scientific invention and artistic expression. Unfortunately, new, more draconian copyright and patent laws threaten to stifle these freedoms and restrict public participation in science, art, and political discourse."

Also: In TWiT#49a (http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://me dia.libsyn.com/media/twit/TWiT49AH.mp3) iPac is explored further.

"second, we could try to start our own lobbying group. " http://www.ipaction.org/

Please help support them. And I'm surprised we haven't really heard much about them on Slashdot. http://www.ipaction.org.

I think we need some sort of blacklist where we keep track of these politicians, and come election time, vote these n00bs out of office. What do you think?

You might want to look at ipaction.org.

http://ipaction.org/blog/2006/04/bill-hollywood-ca rtels-dont-want-you_24.html
https://ipaction.org/contribute.html
(Also vote it up on Digg (may help?)
http://digg.com/technology/RIAA_MPAA_to_get_thier_ wishes_from_Congress:_More_DMCA_restrictions

http://ipaction.org/blog/2006/04/bill-hollywood-ca rtels-dont-want-you_24.html
https://ipaction.org/contribute.html
(Also vote it up on Digg (may help?)
http://digg.com/technology/RIAA_MPAA_to_get_thier_ wishes_from_Congress:_More_DMCA_restrictions

I find it rather ironic that Redhat would come within a mile of such a fetid mess. I'm also surprised (and quite saddened) that Sun Microsystems is involved.

Support http://www.ipaction.org/ - it might be one of the only practical ways to get something done about this kind of nonsense.

For those that don't know, IPac is a new political action committee whose primary focus is to remove people from office who make bad policy decisions related to technology. Their website is at http://www.ipaction.org/ . This is a great way for the "little guy" to get involved and actually have a voice in a process that has thus far, been fairly non-representational as far as the average citizen is concerned.

If we want the political power to do something about this, we need our own PAC, our equivalent of the NRA or AARP.

wonder if Cato would sign these? anyone care to write them and ask?

http://ipaction.org/principles.html

oh, and if you haven't signed yet, now's a good time.

Well, Senator Stevens does, but I have my doubts about many of the others. Remember, a lot of them are old. And very busy.

However, the Intellectual Property Action Committee is trying

I'm curious, what does one do with ten 60GB iPods? It seems that you keep one for yourself and sell the other 9 on eBay. Maybe give some to your friends? Maybe give an iPod to your senator?

It just seems like ten iPods is a lot for one person and will just end up being given away.

Send an ipod to your senator to fight against the broadcast flag and audio flag

But Senator Stevens, the 82-year old committee chairman from Alaska, surprised the audience by announcing that his daughter had bought him an iPod.
Suddenly, Stevens had a much greater understanding of the many ways innovative technology can create choice for consumers. Content industry representatives at the hearing found themselves answering much tougher questions than they typically receive.

http://www.ipaction.org/

Has anyone patented the patent process? ;-) We need to bring balance to intellectual property policies through the legislative process, but everyone must be involved for it to happen, which is probably a pipe dream at this point. http://www.ipaction.org/

There's already IPAC, which supported several candidates financially in the 2004 US election.

If you feel that change needs to be made through legislation, you should check out IPac, a PAC supporting candidates that support a return to balance.

However, I wanted to point out a way you can help the fight that's not just defensive, but offensive. Let's go after the people in congress who make this sort of thing necessary. Head on over to IPac and sign the petition. Donate. Help elect representatives and senators that understand our issues, and will fight on our side, not the side of the RIAA and MPAA.

However, I wanted to point out a way you can help the fight that's not just defensive, but offensive. Let's go after the people in congress who make this sort of thing necessary. Head on over to IPac and sign the petition. Donate. Help elect representatives and senators that understand our issues, and will fight on our side, not the side of the RIAA and MPAA.

"So pass the hat and start looking for a congress critter of your very own."

Recently a new PAC (political action commitee) was started, named iPAC. Its goal is to reform IP laws, to the satisfaction of most /. readers. I suggest going to thier site http://www.ipaction.org/ and reading up on it, and if you like what you see donate some cash (if you are an american citizen) like i did. Even a small donation will help.

Its time to put our money where our mouth is.

Slashdot seems like a reasonable format to have an intelligent discussion about politics. Unfortunately, that hasn't turned out to be the case. Oh well.

It's stupid to think that any real issues are solved in a presidential election anyway. If you really care about politics, join/form a PAC. I joined iPac which I think is a good start.

A new political action committee called IPac ("defending the public interest where culture and technology meet") has just compiled a list of six congressional candidates whom they believe to have good records on IP issues. If you're looking for a quick list of people to throw your support behind, here it is:
http://ipaction.org/candidates.html