Intel Holds Digital Rights Summit

ewhac writes "According to the Associated Press, Intel's Digital Rights Summit was apparently quite lively, as technologists, lawyers (including Professor Lessig), and academics argued the (lack of) virtues of copy-protection and Digital Restriction Mechanisms -- how granting Hollywood's whims would further dampen the already-reeling tech industry. The only voice in support of even more onerous legislation was, perhaps unsurprisingly, Representative Howard Berman (D-Calif), who has co-crafted a proposal to let media companies interfere with Internet operations to combat unsanctioned copying. Berman dismissed the experts' claims as a "smoke screen," to cover the tech sector's true source of hardship, its own irrational exuberance. Berman represents California's 28th district, which includes the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley regions of the Los Angeles metroplex."

Comments

This quote stood out:

[SLot]

"Let's have some perspective," he [Berman] said. "This issue is not as bad as 45 million people living without health insurance."

If this is true, why is he not as busy working on legislation to get coverage for the 45 million uninsured as he is trying to suck up Hollywood's money?

How is it a debate?

[Wampus Aurelius]

Punctuated by hisses, applause and shouts of "Amen!" from members of the 100-person crowd, the four-hour debate illustrated the gargantuan gap between Silicon Valley and Hollywood when it comes to so-called digital rights management....

...The lone Hollywood defender in the four-hour conference blasted technophiles' allegations as "overblown and simplistic."

Sounds to me like it was less a debate and more an anti-RI/MPAA rally. I'm not opposed to such a thing, mind you, but let's not have it be misrepresented. Instead of "Silicon Valley Spars With Hollywood," the headline should say, "Silicon Valley Badmouths Hollywood."