[olug] New digital rights bill going to congress.

[Daniel G. Linder]

Hello!

  I haven't posted to this list yet, but I feel that this is something that will be affecting all of us.  

  The Slashdot article points to an article written about a bill being introduced to congress that would protect consumers rights to make copies of their CDs, DVDs and other digital works for personal use.  And just in case you are a Jack Valenti fan, read this quote:

    ``If this bill were to pass, it would render ineffective,
      worthless and useless any protection measure we would
      have in place to protect a $100 million movie,''
      Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association
      of America, said of the Lofgren bill. ``You could download
      a million movies a day, and no penalty for it.''
(Kids, remember that last sentence... --Dan)

Now, read the quote from Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the person introducing the bill:
    ``This would not authorize someone taking their digital
      content and sharing it with a million of their best friends,''
      Lofgren said in an interview Tuesday.
(Notice the actual intent and meaning of the bill. --Dan)

Hmmm, it seems to me that Mr. Valenti is using FUD (Fear, Uncertanty, Doubt), and just plain lying to cause this bill to fail.  I wonder when he will tie this to terrorism?!?


Here is the Slashdot link:
	http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/10/02/1654235&mode=nested&tid=103

Here is the news article link:
	http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/4193841.htm

I for one plan on sending a snail-mail letter to my congress-people to let them know that this bill appears to be much better thought out than the big-business backed DMCA.

Dan