[usg]

 Would President Kerry defang the DMCA?

Quote:

Kerry's survey response said he is "open to examining" whether to change current law "to ensure that a person who lawfully obtains or receives a transmission of a digital work may back up a copy of it for archival purposes" or transfer it to another device. CompTIA's open-ended question had merely asked "What should federal policy be toward protecting intellectual property on the Internet?"--without mentioning backup copies

edit: to add the above quote from the article, I thought, may be of interest.


USG

 

[MikeSM]

Only the Republicans have a shot at defanging DMCA. Aside from the congressional majorities needed to pass the legislation, Kerry and the Dems have tremendous support from Hollywood, and would never alienate this part of their base. The media and hollywood are going to be the reason he wins if he ends up doing so.


Bush is hated by Hollywood, and gets no support from them. Screwing them would cost him no money and no lost votes. Bush is the only one who could lead the charge.


Thanks,

mike

 

[wmcbrine]

True, the Democrats are unlikely to do it, because of their Hollywood contributors. But no, the Republicans won't do it, either, because they're the party of business, and business wants to lock down "intellectual property", in all forms.


So we'll have to do it ourselves. Write to your representatives in Congress (regardless of party) and tell them how you feel about the issue.


In any case, I'm pleased by Kerry's answer.

 

[stgdz]

The MPAA is in bed with both parties.

 

[jpm121]

Quote:

Originally posted by wmcbrine In any case, I'm pleased by Kerry's answer.

Don't look away, it'll change.

 

[Thomas Desmond]

*sigh* Thanks for that tired retread of a Bush campaign commercial.


The truth is that both parties have folks who are on either side of this issue. On the side that favors strict copy protection are Democrats who are in bed with Hollywood and Republicans who are in bed with the big media companies. On the other side are members of both parties who side with consumer interests, either because of a desire to support the "little guy" or perhaps libertarian sentiment.


While I also find Kerry's statement encouraging, if we are going to see any change it will probably require bipartisan consensus.

 

[Artisn]

In general, Democrats will be pro anything requiring more governmental regulation; Republicans will be opposed. Make up your own mind and vote accordingly.

 

[Ralarcon]

That would be Bush.

 

[mrmike]

Quote:

Originally posted by Artisn In general, Democrats will be pro anything requiring more governmental regulation; Republicans will be opposed. Make up your own mind and vote accordingly.

Once upon a time, that might have been accurate. Probably not even then. "Make up your own mind" is probably the most important thing anyway.

 

[Kipp Jones]

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeSM Only the Republicans have a shot at defanging DMCA. Aside from the congressional majorities needed to pass the legislation, Kerry and the Dems have tremendous support from Hollywood, and would never alienate this part of their base. The media and hollywood are going to be the reason he wins if he ends up doing so. Bush is hated by Hollywood, and gets no support from them. Screwing them would cost him no money and no lost votes. Bush is the only one who could lead the charge. Thanks, mike

Agreed.

 

[wmcbrine]

Quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Desmond The truth is that both parties have folks who are on either side of this issue.

Truthfully, I can think of only one person in Congress who seems to be on our side of these issues: Rick Boucher (D-VA). Do you know of others?


To the Republicans in this thread: You're kidding yourselves. Republican Sonny Bono was responsible for extending copyright another 20 years. Republican Orrin Hatch is currently the biggest proponent of harsher penalties for copyright infringement in Congress. The DMCA was enacted 99-0 in the Senate (and apparently passed by voice vote in the House).


To Artisn: Your simple-minded characterization of Reps and Dems is complete nonsense.

 

[Thomas Desmond]

Let me state up front that I am a Democrat, and have a very low opinion of most of the current Republican party. However:


> Republican Sonny Bono was responsible for extending copyright another 20 years.


This move was supported by Bill Clinton -- so I don't see how we can pin this one just on the Republicans.

 

[Artwood]

The GOP and the Dems BOTH put this monstrosity on us. The only thing worse than the political parties is the masquerading AVS sages who post here and defend the indefensible. In the end their efforts will fail because no matter how noble and well intentioned a law might be if enough people don't like it it can't change their behavior. An amendment to the Constitution itself wasn't able to stop people from consuming alcohol. The same thing will happen here.


My only question is this...Why do people become Video Manufacturing Company Plants? The only way I could be one is if they offered me free equipment.


Bottom line: Video whores don't bother me as much as Video pimps.