Congressman pushes for harsher DMCA
updated 02:55 pm EST, Thu December 13, 2007
Pushing for a harder DMCA
Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), the chair of the House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, today argued that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) does not go far enough, despite common complaints about its severity. Berman is overseeing a hearing on the PRO-IP Act, a bill which could increase statutory damages for copyright violation, and even establish an intellectual property enforcement office in the Department of Justice. Before today's witness testimonies began, Berman admitted that there were things he would like to change in copyright law to make the DMCA more strict.
He argues for instance that Internet service providers should not be granted "safe harbor" protection for material on their networks, and that filtering technology may, in some cases, have to be made a legal mandate by Congress. Berman is also in favor of reevaluating the "effectiveness of takedown notices," a view that may have originated with media giant Viacom. The company is strongly in favor of increased DRM, and is presently suing YouTube despite the latter's willingness to take down copyrighted video immediately upon request. Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman has in the past spoken to business lobby groups about his position. [via Ars Technica]
vote him out
12/13, 04:02pm reply
Looks like us Californians are going to have to take matters into our own hands and toss this douche out next election.
WiseWeasel
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Joined: Apr 1999
re: vote him out
12/13, 04:23pm reply
Please do! More severe DRM, oh that sounds like a good idea. I wonder what lobby has him in their back pocket.
MTR forever...
mgpalma
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Joined: Sep 2000
yeah. you darned criminal
12/13, 06:16pm reply
had better watch out! if we have to make everything illegal, we will!
"He argues for instance that Internet service providers should not be granted "safe harbor" protection for material on their networks, and that filtering technology may, in some cases, have to be made a legal mandate by Congress."
Yes. we need to stop these service providers completely and filter everything, for anything, forever.
"...Viacom. The company is strongly in favor of increased DRM, and is presently suing YouTube despite the latter's willingness to take down copyrighted video immediately upon request."
good for you, Viacom! its high time someone made the service providers responsible for protecting Viacom!
(end sarcasm)
it would be nice if this Howard Berman actually represented his constituency.
Flying Meat
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Joined: Jan 2007
Call him and tell him!!!!
12/13, 07:00pm reply
http://www.house.gov/berman/
Congressman Howard Berman 2221 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4695 Fax: 202-225-3196
Call him and tell him he is the kind of Dem that will make us Independents vote Republican!!!
Also make sure you call your local representative and tell them that this bill is ONLY good for big business and will kill creativity!!!
drbroom
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Joined: Dec 2006
makes no sense
12/14, 01:19am reply
It's just so totally ridiculous. clueless.
zaghahzag
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Joined: Aug 2006
t***
12/14, 07:04am reply
this guy is a t***. Copyright is an ball and chain around this generation. Virtually all the information generated this century is covered. Virtually all the music created this century is covered. The 1980 Olympics "miracle on ice" (the original games)are covered (reason why you, as an American cannot watch them- they are locked away). When does this material become public domain, when does it begin to belong to history? I think the olympics should be public domain the year following, those videos belong to all Americans. Music and other material 25 years. Sorry, Beatles.
macbones
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Joined: Jul 2006
I wonder...
12/14, 08:40am reply
How much money has he taken from lobbyists, lawyers and special interest groups pushing for this?
michaele
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Joined: Apr 2007