Long John Lamar to head Internet committee

Lamar Smith (R-Tx), a lawyer from San Antonio, Texas, is the new chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on courts, the Internet and intellectual property.

By an amazing coincidence, last year he sponsored legislation to, "criminalize trafficking in counterfeit music, movies and other audiovisual works" and "give victims of intellectual property theft an opportunity to recover damages in federal court," among other things.

At the time, he observed, "One could complete a transatlantic voyage today without ever spotting a pirate ship."

One could indeed, Lamar.

Smith said the subcommittee will handle legislation dealing with digital rights, copyright and patent protections, secure networks, p2p networks, fair use standards, litigation management, cyber-security, state sovereign immunity, patent and trademark office reform and e-commerce which oversees issues including digital rights, online piracy, the Internet and intellectual property.

And, of course, online piracy.

He takes over from Howard Coble, dearly beloved of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and other Hollywood trade organs.

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