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Rethinking How Congress Pushes Copyright Laws

pigrabbitbear writes "Lamar Smith just can't get a break. The Texas congressman and widely despised author of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) ruffled the Internet's feathers once again this week with the quiet unveiling of a new piece of legislation that's drawing criticism for being plucked out of SOPA's language and rushed through Congress. The Intellectual Property Attaché Act (IPAA) would streamline the process by which the U.S. protects its intellectual property by enforcing U.S. copyright law abroad through specially assigned diplomats or attachés. These officers would report to a new agency-level position, the Assistant Secretary for Intellectual Property and push agendas that, according to the bill's language, are 'consistent with the economic interests of the United States, both domestically and abroad.'"

4 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. I for one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Welcome our new RIAA/MPAA SS Troup overlords

    1. Re:I for one by Dexter+Herbivore · · Score: 3, Funny

      BAM Instant Godwin, well done.

    2. Re:I for one by Concerned+Onlooker · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, I think you have to explicitly mention Hitler.

      Oops.

      --
      http://www.rootstrikers.org/
  2. Re:Economic interests of the United States by SuricouRaven · · Score: 3, Funny

    It was just Fern Gully.

    In SPAAAACE!