Comments on: Antipiracy bill gains new ally

The U.S. Copyright Office is expected to endorse a new bill that could imperil some forms of technology.

Contact your Senator/ Representative

Here's what I wrote, mostly ripped from the suggestion of another cnet poster. Feel free to use it:

I'm a registered voter working for a high tech company, High Connection Density, in Silicon Valley. We're working hard to make keep our position as world leaders in technology, but your support for the Induce Act will stifle innovation. Please withdraw your support for this bill immediately!

A new bill is being introduced called the "Induce Act" by Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) possibly this or next week. This bill is attempting to stifle technologies at startups like ours by helping established corporations to squelch instead of embracing new technology. Don't get me wrong, I am a capitalist at heart but I do not believe my financial well being comes at the expense of innovation.

Please read this article about the bill if you have not yet heard about it.
http://news.com.com/Antipiracy+bill+targets+technology/2100-1028_3-5238140.html

Here is a quote taken from the article on the dangers this act poses.
"Litman said that under the Induce Act, products like ReplayTV, peer-to-peer networks and even the humble VCR could be outlawed because they can potentially be used to infringe copyrights."

Please protect our freedom to innovate and withdraw your support.

-Luke

Couldn't agree more!

I'm glad there are others who feel this is not something we want to see passed!

Here's how to make a difference

go to:

http://action.eff.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=2918

and fill out the information on the forms.

There's more info on other damaging bill at:
http://action.eff.org

Make sure you are registered to vote and don't support Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.; Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.; Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. Unless they withdraw their support.

U.S.G. grabbing more rights

This piece of legislation is just another example of the U.S. Government grabbing more rights from the population. At the rate the current administration is going, we will all be subjects in King George the II's little playground and if you don't like it you can just go to jail! Voters in the constituency of the supporters of this legislation need to voice their concerns to their representatives! Speak up now or become a subject, rather than a citizen.

[Jimmu411]

So this means...

It seems like this law would apply to xerox machines, cameras, tape recorders.... anything that could make a copy of anything that might be copyrighted.

[LANjackal]

Not surprising at all

I agree with the EFF official. This news is disappointing, but by no means surprising. It IS the copyright office, after all.

Apply this logic to gun control

If this logic succeeds, perhaps we could apply it to manufacturers of firearms. By making products that "induce" people to kill others, perhaps they could be held liable for the damage.

[kashk5]

Too Broad

The software companies with BSA apparently haven't thought this through. Their software (mainly Adobe) can also "induce" people to violate copyrights by copying images, which are also intellectual property. Also, the entertainment business would be crippled by this law. They make music and other entertainment venues, charge exorbitant prices for them, which then INDUCES people to get these forms of entertainment from other sources, which unfortunately, are often illegal.
This law is too broad and will hurt too many people/organizations.

[John Kuzak]

exorbitant prices

http://www.analogstereo.com/vacuum/miele_hay_fever.htm

outlaw peer-to-peer networks -- No

To me, if file swapping is an issue - then the internet has to go.... it is the biggest file swapping around......