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"Hollywood" Howard Berman To Leave Internet Subcommittee

Posted by kdawson on from the so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-laws dept.

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "'Hollywood' Howard Berman (D-CA), who chairs the House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property appears to be on the way out. He is slated to move over to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, leaving his chair on the Internet subcommittee vacant. Long known for wanting to strengthen the DMCA and backing copyright grabs like the PRO-IP Act, Berman will be missed by big media. The good news is that Rick Boucher (D-VA) may be the one to replace him. Rep. Boucher has been interviewed on Slashdot and is in favor of copyright reform. They still need to win their upcoming elections and the full Commerce Committee will still be chaired by John Conyers (D-MI), though."

13 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Boucher by Lally+Singh · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'm in Boucher's district (the fightin' 9th!). He usually runs without significant opposition. Most of the republicans also like him. He'll be re-elected.

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    1. Re:Boucher by Nullav · · Score: 2, Funny

      Or perhaps posting speed is inversely proportional to the length of one's UID.

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      I just read Slashdot for the articles.
  2. This doesn't really seem like a win.. by stormguard2099 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If he is in charge of foreign policy won't he just try and push DMCA on other countries now?

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    http://greenobyl.com/ please.... think of the children!!
    1. Re:This doesn't really seem like a win.. by MightyYar · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yeah but at least he's not our problem anymore :)

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  3. Don't put your guard down by Yahma · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Okay, so Berman's out and Boucher may replace him, but that doesn't mean the fight is over. The media companies have enough money to change anyone's attitude toward copyright reform. Now would be a good time to let Boucher know (if you are in his district) that you too support copyright reform.


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  4. Now that copyright reform is possible... by calebt3 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...what about the long sought-after patent reform? This position wouldn't happen to have any authority in that area. would it?

  5. Cue Bob Marley by AndGodSed · · Score: 4, Funny

    No DMCA no crime...

    (sigh... go ahead... smite me...)

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    Seven Days with Ubuntu Unity

  6. Don't forget about Mr. Tubes! by Nemilar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Don't forget, Ted Stevens is still a ranking member of the Senate committee on Commerce and Science.. So we've still got some nutso's hanging about.

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    Nemilar http://www.techthrob.com - Visit Me!
  7. There they go again by nebaz · · Score: 3, Funny

    I swear, if I hear anything more about Berman and Braga screwing things up I'll ... (hold on a sec, getting some info here). (Sheepish). Sorry, wrong story.

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    Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds.There upon the rainbow is the answer to a neverending story
  8. FAIR USE Act by underwhelm · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Boucher has a bill in the house to revise the DMCA. Don't forget to contact your congressperson to encourage them to support this necessary reform.

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    I don't need large brains to have a good time.

  9. only on slashdot by BCGlorfindel · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Isn't moving to foreign affairs a move up?
    Isn't it even worse to have a corporate shill influencing foreign policy?
    Forgive my lack of enthusiasm, I forgot that now your internets are safe :(.

  10. Here are two places: by NeutronCowboy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/
    http://www.opensecrets.org/

    Good places to get started to figure out where everyone stands. Don't forget your congress critters home page, either.

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    Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
    1. Re:Here are two places: by Metaphorically · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Good advice. I made a couple search plugins for Firefox to help with that. There's one for OpenSecrets.org and one for the Library of Congress THOMAS system (bills and legislative information).

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