MPAA, RIAA Seek Permanent Antitrust Exemption

Posted by timothy on Wednesday November 26, 2003 @02:01AM from the watch-people-blame-the-free-market dept.

Devistater writes "Webcasters sued RIAA two months ago in an antitrust case for anti-competitive behavior. The response? An exemption from antitrust laws. Today's Register tells about RIAA/MPAA's efforts to get just such an exemption written into law. They could become permanently exempt from such a suit, if the bill passes. They snuck it into a bill sponsored by Orrin Hatch called EnFORCE Act (Enhancing Federal Obscenity Reporting and Copyright Enforcement Act of 2003). Orrin Hatch says this bill contains "First... an antitrust exemption in the Copyright Act [for] record companies and music publishers" Why? Because of 'market realities.' Which ones? The 12-year-old girl? The 15-year-old girl? Or the 66-year-old Grandma with a Mac?"

4 of 759 comments (clear)

In other news... by Perseid · 2003-11-26 02:05 · Score: 5, Funny

the mob is exempt from murder charges due to 'market realities'.
Ob South Park Reference by Zak3056 · 2003-11-26 02:13 · Score: 4, Funny

Orrin Hatch, he went to congress, DUM DUM DUM DUM DUM

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What part of "shall not be infringed" is so hard to understand?
Re:Inquiring minds want to know... by banzai75 · 2003-11-26 02:40 · Score: 5, Funny

Well heck, I thought it would be more expensive to buy off a senator. We should start saving up and buy our own Slashdot senator or congressperson.
Re:Inquiring minds want to know... by MrHanky · 2003-11-26 03:27 · Score: 3, Funny

Anonymous Coward for president!