....In the meantime some conservative activists and GOP strategists see this issue as a chance for Republicans to show concerned Americans that they sometimes do take on big business and stand up for the consumer, particularly when the offending business is wielding government-granted power. Others see it as a wedge issue with which younger voters can be separated from celebrity Democrats in the recording industry.

For Republicans, "It's a great opportunity," says Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), who frequently speaks out against the RIAA on this issue. "The real key for Republicans is recognizing where technology is going and helping out." Cannon serves on the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over copyright issues. He tells Insight that GOP lawmakers should point out what he calls "the stupidity of an industry that ought to be courting customers instead of alienating them."

....the strongest criticism of what's perceived to be the RIAA's overreaching has come from Republican members. In addition to Coleman and Cannon, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) has proposed amending the copyright legislation to take away the RIAA's special subpoena power and will hold hearings in the Senate Commerce Committee in September. In a recent floor speech critical of the RIAA, Brownback cited other principles conservatives believe in, including privacy, fairness, and due process of law. "I find it untenable that any Internet subscriber's identifying information can be obtained, under government auspices no less, without any oversight or due process," he said in June. "There are no checks, no balances, and the alleged pirate has no opportunity to defend themselves. My colleagues, this issue is about privacy, not piracy." there is also Orrin hatch, of course, but all pots have cracks.

Sen. Coleman concludes that "the challenge is drawing a distinction between [first] clear commercial activity, second, the setting up of distribution networks, and third, personal use. I don't have the answer to that, but I'm certainly looking at those issues. I think part of [the music industry's] problem is they're playing catch-up" with the technology.