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Boucher's Anti-DMCA Bill Gets High Profile Allies

Posted by timothy on from the fair-is-fair dept.

Landaras writes "News.com is reporting that a newly-formed alliance called the Personal Technology Freedom Coalition is throwing their support and lobbying efforts behind Rep. Rick Boucher's (D-Va) Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act. Members of the Personal Technology Freedom Coalition include Intel, Sun Microsystems, Verizon, SBC, Qwest, Gateway and BellSouth. The EFF and the American Library Association are also in support."

9 of 244 comments (clear)

  1. The most important section... by sploo22 · · Score: 5, Informative
    IMHO, the most important section of this bill is section 5(b)(2):

    (b) FAIR USE RESTORATION- Section 1201(c) of title 17, United States Code, is amended--
    (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the end the following: `and it is not a violation of this section to circumvent a technological measure in connection with access to, or the use of, a work if such circumvention does not result in an infringement of the copyright in the work'; and

    (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

    `(5) It shall not be a violation of this title to manufacture, distribute, or make noninfringing use of a hardware or software product capable of enabling significant noninfringing use of a copyrighted work.'.


    Finally, at least some of our rights are being upheld.
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    Karma: Segmentation fault (tried to dereference a null post)
  2. Re:This certainly smells of election-year politici by Ian+Wolf · · Score: 5, Informative

    This certainly smells of election-year politicing

    Normally, I'd be inclined to agree, but Rep. Boucher has been championing this issue for some time now.

    Story 1
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    There are of course many more. This bill was originally introduced in 2002. This guy is the real deal.

    I didn't go back far enough to get the link of his interview here on /., but I'm sure somebody probably already has since I started this post.

    --
    "The words of the prophets are written on the Slashdot walls."
  3. Anti-DCMA? Kinda. by szquirrel · · Score: 3, Informative

    Note that HP and Intel are playing both ends against the middle on this one.

    I'm all for having big tough friends against the DCMA, I just wish the big tough friends could decide whether or not they're my friends.

    --
    Never approach a vast undertaking with a half-vast plan.
  4. Re:To whom should we address our letters? by Overzeetop · · Score: 4, Informative

    Type up a letter and mail it everyone listed as a Representative at house.gov in your state, except your local representative. Your local Rep should get a handwritten (very neatly, thank you) letter.

    You may also want to drop a line to the first sub-committee (Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property) listed here:

    http://www.house.gov/judiciary/submembers.htm

    and to the first sub-committee (Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection) listed here:

    http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/subcommittee s/ Commerce_Trade_and_Consumer_Protection_Members.htm

    (BTW - Mary Bono is on that last committee. You might just want to hand write a note that if she doesn't like the bill, you recommend she stick it up her...um, no, maybe that's not a good idea, on second thought)

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    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  5. Re:Hatch And Bono by OakLEE · · Score: 3, Informative

    It's Representative Bono. She represent's California 45th District which includes parts of East LA County, the Palm Springs area, and Riverside County. California is represented by Senators Boxer and Feinstien, who if I remember correctly are also in the pocket of the entertainment industry.

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    The sun beams down on a brand new day, No more welfare tax to pay, Unsightly slums gone up in flashing light...
  6. Re:Hatch And Bono by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sonny Bono isn't a Senator. He never was, even when he was alive. He was a Representative.

    --

    "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
  7. Follow the money by hellfire · · Score: 4, Informative

    Always follow the money.

    Verizon was hit hard by the RIAAs attempts to supoena the names of their users. It's not in Verizon's best interests to give up such names, because they make money on services, not software. The DMCA has severe effects on software and copywrited files. Verizon doesn't give a rats ass (as they should not) as to what goes across their networks, as long as people pay for the right to use those lines.

    If people lose privacy and anonymity by using Verizon because they are the target of the RIAA, Verizon will lose customers. Verizon can't afford that.

    Also note companies like Comcast and AOL/Time Warner who are cable companies who are NOT on that list. They provide internet services, but they are also part of larger media conglomerates that want their media content providers preserved.

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    "All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"

  8. Take action by teslatug · · Score: 3, Informative

    Please sign up and take action at EFF if you live in the US. I have used the default forms many times and I have received back many letters from my representatives even though these are just e-mails that I have sent. Specifically, on HR 107, I just received yesterday a page and a half (typed, but still) positive response from my representative. With so many slashdotters, I am sure we can make a tiny difference.

    Please try it, it takes only a few seconds after you have signed up to send an e-mail on each topic that comes up.

  9. Re:Money Talks, Folks by DarkFencer · · Score: 3, Informative

    Though that was the original meaning of the word, carpet bagger has long been used to refer to someone who previously had little ties to a state/city/region/etc and moved there shortly before an election to run there.

    Most famous recent example: Hillary Clinton - a Chicago native, who moved to Arkansas, to Washington, and then out of the blue moved to NYC to run (successfully) for US Senate.