Whitehouse gets Top Copyright Cop
p2pnet news MPAA | RIAA News:- In what must be one of their greatest triumphs yet, entertainment industry interests have greased a copyright Top Cop with his/her own copyright police into the White House —- just before the present incumbent is replaced by a new president who might not be so amenable to corporate movie and music industry blandishments as George W’s administration.
The official title will be US Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative
“We are transitioning from a nation whose economy was driven by what we created with our hands to one driven by what we create with our minds,” Billboard has RIAA boss Mitch Bainwol declaring with a straight face.
“This creative and economic genius deserves to reach its full potential, and this bill is an important step toward achieving that goal.”
The RIAA is primarily responsible for representing the Big 4 record labels, Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony BMG, who aim to stifle any and all creativity they don’t control by any means possible.
The MPAA, which does much the same for Hollywood, is reportedly equally enthusiastic about the act.
Last month, California’s Zoe Lofgren, “raised the only concern about the bill, the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO IP) Act, saying the language regarding seizure of property involved in IP theft could ‘inadvertently punish innocent bystanders’,” says Variety, going on >>>
If, for example, a child uses a parent’s computer for illegal downloading without the parent’s knowledge or approval, the parent’s computer could be seized, Lofgren said.
She also worried about “innocent people” possibly being coerced into paying a settlement.
“The recording industry has made a business out of extorting money from students” whose computers are used by others for illegal downloading, Lofgren said. “This could be the same type of situation.”
The US House of Representatives has just passed the act under suspension of House rules, states Billboard, saying an official quorum vote is expected on the House floor this evening.
“Introduced by House Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers Jr. last December, the Act (H.R. 4279) would create the office of a U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative in the White House to represent and advise the president on IP issue,” says the story, observing:
“The representative would produce a national joint strategic plan to protect and enforce IP rights, and would be responsible for seeing its implementation by various government agencies.”
According to Conyers, the Act will >>>
- Prioritize intellectual property protection to the highest level of our government
- Make changes to IP law to enhance the ability of IP owners to effectively enforce their rights
- Make it easier to criminally prosecute repeat offenders
- Increase penalties for IP violations that endanger public health and safety.
Conyers doesn’t explain how IP infringement could possibly have any effect on public health and safety.
“The Act would also establish a formal IP Enforcement Division within the office of the Deputy Attorney General,” says Billbioard, adding:
“Currently, the DOJ has an IP Task Force. An IP Enforcement Officer, appointed by the attorney general and reporting to the deputy attorney general, would head the division.”
Adds Billboard
Specifically, federal civil law would be amended to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information so such technical errors would not prevent a judgment for infringement; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements, like the necessity of filing a registration before suing an infringer, apply to civil – not criminal – infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.
Federal criminal law would be amended to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.
Only one amendment was attached, “to make clear that the White House position would not dictate agencies’ actions or policies on IP protection but would be more for facilitating and coordinating cooperation among agencies,” says the story.
PRO-IP co-author Hollywood Howard Berman, “assured Lofgren that the bill stipulates a seizure of property could only occur when ‘a substantial connection’ exists between the property and the material stolen,” says Variety, adding:
He also said he disagreed with Lofgren’s characterization of the RIAA’s “legal actions” as ‘extortion’.”
.
.Stumble It!
Billboard – House Passes PRO IP Bill, May 6, 2008
Variety – House passes PRO-IP piracy act, April 30, 2008
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May 7th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
âWe are transitioning from a nation whose economy was driven by what we created with our hands to one driven by what we create with our minds,â
Ok!
What is this that this “Mitch Bainwol low life and criminal” created with his crappy mind of parasite?
New ways to suck up people life maybe? This is a great contribution to our society. Really!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
“Conyers doesnât explain how IP infringement could possibly have any effect on public health and safety”
Yes! He said shit on internet!
That’s nasty!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
“Prioritize intellectual property protection to the highest level of our government
Make changes to IP law to enhance the ability of IP owners to effectively enforce their rights
Make it easier to criminally prosecute repeat offenders
Increase penalties for IP violations that endanger public health and safety. ”
Blablabla, blablabla.
Its mot going to make us buy the RIAA/MPAA craps. We are boycotting and almost every day we are convincing more people to boycott too. Did you checked the sale figure recently?
May 7th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
This is why we really need to petition for clear changes to what is defined as “Intellectual Property”.
The internet has changed the way ideas and data is exchanged among the population, and because of it, the “cause and effect” of ideas is much more sudden. Because these new technologies make data the most efficient vehicle for “Intellectual Property”, the way it’s used and marketed has to change dramatically. The Laws that define what “Infringement” is, and how it’s punished, need to be radically redefined to facilitate the changing views of the people, and they way they manage their data.
Dissolving the corporations that have traditionally controlled the medium on which data has been transmitted for decades would go a long way towards smoothing the legal transition to a new era.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
So I guess now, the US government will have four branches;
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Copyright Enforcement
I have no doubt that this will pass. I also have no doubt that when it does they will begin using this to *STEAL* people’s computers under the seizure provisions, especially since our corrupt government has made it so that people don’t even have to be charged with a crime to have their property seized.
Frankly, I’m disgusted by this whole attitude that copright enforcement is the most important issue facing the world and by how the US politicians bend over for the RIAA/MPAA.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I remember the story a while back where some dude who was a pedophile (I think) had his computer seized but since he had his hard drive encrypted with PGP, the fed’s couldn’t do shit cause he doesn’t have to incriminate himself… as messed up as that situation is, I think that’s what people will have to start doing…
And just for the sake of irony, why not encrypt with a pirate version of PGP?
May 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
ReKrul- “So I guess now, the US government will have four branches;”
.
Actually it has four now. So here’s thew new list of the FIVE branches of the US guvment. The order of the list is important also…
.
Executive
Big Business
Copyright Enforcement
Judicial
Legislative
May 7th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
There’s a wild animal on the loose and needs to be put down. If not it will all backfire on it one day anyway
May 9th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I would like to applaud our government officials for not waisting our tax money, not being slaves to big business (Republicans and Democrats), and for addressing relevant issues to the problems we are currently facing.
WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO VOTE THESE PEOPLE INTO OFFICE? WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THE WILL OF BIG BUSINESS? WHY IS NO ONE OUTRAGED THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING WASTED?
May 10th, 2008 at 8:44 am
This is a breach of privacy. Slowly but surely our government is being played like a puppet to make it so that the men behind the curtians can do whatever they want to who ever they want. This is just the first step in a long line of “Acts” that the government is passing to lead up to a chip in all of us. So that we are no longer individuals, human beings, or have a voice. Soon we will all be a number, a product, a barcode… “I’m a human being, goddamn it! My life has value!” – Network (1976)
May 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
actually 6:
1. Fatherland Sekurity (who wipe their asses with torn up pieces of the Constitution)
2. Copyright Enforcement
3. Mega Corporations(Big Business)
4. Executive
5. Legislative
6. Judicial
—
fascinating- I was on a stock/financial BB
the other day-and several noted it was time for revolution-
and THE GALLOWS for the bunch in the WH-for many acts of TREASON.
But our Congress (yes, even the Democrats have no balls)
I think they call it the “send some Rope to the WH” campaign-a few inches-a foot etc-to give them an idea what the masses are thinking
May 11th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
“This is just the first step in a long line of âActsâ that the government is passing to lead up to a chip in all of us.”
Well, no, it’s not the first step by a long shot. I think the ‘first step’ probably occurred before the ink was dry on our Constitution, when some government bastard (probably Hamilton) was figuring out ways to circumvent it. The process has continued and has accelerated to this day, and will do so until our Constitutional Republic is no more.
“WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO VOTE THESE PEOPLE INTO OFFICE? WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THE WILL OF BIG BUSINESS? WHY IS NO ONE OUTRAGED THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING WASTED?”
Many of us are outraged, but not nearly enough, not yet. I have been following the voting record of Rep. Ron Paul for a number of years, trying to figure out why we can’t fill Congress and the White House with people like him, and I’ve decided there are at least a couple of reasons: (1) Most people who get into politics just don’t give a rats ass about our country or its people or anything but their own selfish interests, and (2) Big Business owns the MSM, the banks, and anything else it cares to purchase, so it buys the corrupt politicians (at bargain prices) and thus owns our government. The only way we will reclaim our country is by restoring our Constitution, either from the ballot box or the ammo box. I had great hope this could be done peacefully, and Ron Paul’s candidacy offered us that chance. I pray we will get another; we don’t have much time.
I’m an old fart and won’t be around much longer anyway, but I hate to leave such a mess to the young folks. Keep up the fight, as will I, and you’ll be in my prayers.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Stop Democrats & Republicans. Vote 3rd party. At least you will send a message. I’m looking into the Constitution party. Support people who will protect the Constitution. McCain & Obama are CFR sellouts who are for a N. American Free Trade Union which will eliminate our constitution. The deny that the American Free Trade Union plans even exist: check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOTzKPWsY6o
September 13th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Horseman IV – I hate to break it but it will be with an ammo box. Its been 50 years since the last great war. I think this is something that will push humans to the point of rebellion. Its in our nature to uphold our freedom. If we feel confined, our brains will soon snap and there goes a world war. I’ll say 2012 is when the next world war will start. Ironic considering troops are to be pulled out of Iraq straight into China.
America, the fascist country. Democracy is now dead.