Mar
28
Berman says PRO-IP Act is going to pass
Posted by Dirk Avery at 7:56 am under Copyright, Legislation.
“Hollywood” Berman (D-CA), new chairman of the House IP subcommittee, says of the PRO-IP Act, “‘I think this is going to pass’, this year,” according to Ars Technica’s Nate Anderson. Chairman Berman also gives lip service to copyright’s greater purpose, noting concerns about the new act’s effect on fair use and claiming a belief that copyright’s purpose is to further the public good rather than pad content creators’ wallets.
It’s probably a good idea to recall what William Patry said about the PRO-IP Act back in December (emphasis added):
On the day when the House IP subcommittee is holding a hearing on H.R. 4279 [the PRO-IP Act], a bill that may be the most outrageously gluttonous IP bill ever introduced in the U.S., it is fitting to pay tribute to an incisive look [Professor Netanel’s article] at how we have come to the point where such an initiative could be dreamed up even in the porcine corridors of K Street. Greed of course is the short and complete answer.
Here is a link to an article that follows the $1,100,000 money trail that secured a PRO-IP bill sponsorship from Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA, Pasadena).
The Schiff Files$1,100,000 Campaign Cash Secures PRO-IP Sponsorship [PDF]
discuss
As you will note from the links, he totally brushed off his constituent concerns on PRO-IP. Do you think Disney executives had to go to his town hall meetings to discuss the issue?