What with investigating and preventing terrorism and other somewhat important things, you would think we wouldn't want the FBI distracted by tracking down Kazaa users. Not according to these two entertainment industry ass-lickers:
- A bill introduced in Congress on Thursday would put federal agents in the business of investigating and prosecuting copyright violations, including online swapping of copyrighted works.
HR-2517, the Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003, instructs the FBI to develop a program to deter online traffic of copyrighted material. The bureau would also develop a warning, with the FBI seal, that copyright holders could issue to suspected violators. And the bureau would encourage sharing of information on suspected copyright violations among law enforcement, copyright owners and ISPs (Internet service providers).
The bill bears the names of two legislators who have been prominent on intellectual property and copyright issues--Reps. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and Howard Berman, D-Calif. Berman gained attention last year with a bill that would have allowed copyright holders to hack into peer-to-peer networks believed to be distributing protected materials.
The new bill also calls for the Department of Justice to hire agents trained to deal with computer hacking and intellectual-property issues, and it requires the Attorney General, in conjunction with the departments of Education and Commerce, to develop programs to educate the public on copyright issues.
A lawyer with the Electronic Frontier Foundation said the bill includes a number of troubling aspects, particularly the blurring of distinctions between official prosecution of criminal acts and civil enforcement of copyright provisions.
"It's doing a bunch of things to get the FBI more involved with private enforcement of intellectual-property rights," said Wendy Seltzer, staff attorney for the EFF. "It gives them a chance to scare a lot of users into thinking the government is after them." [CNET]
Other than the element of education on copyright - what normal American knows squat about copyright? - this is the most outrageous distortion of priorities yet. We want the FBI to enforce civil intellectual-property rights matters? They better get after Orrin Hatch then.
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Article comments
1 - Brian Flemming
Congressman Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys) Washington telephone number: 202-225-4695.
"Congressman Berman's office."
"Hello, my name's Brian Flemming. Who am I speaking with?"
"Zack."
"Zack, as a Democrat from Los Angeles I'm calling to register my opposition to HR 2517."
"And what's your address?"
"[address] That's not in his district, but I actually grew up in his district and I voted for the guy once, and I'm really regretting that I did. Between this and that other bill be sponsored to destroy my computer if I was suspected of copying copyrighted files...Zack, this is insane."
"...'is...insane.' I'll definitely pass this on."
"I would never campaign for a Republican against a Democrat, but I'm seriously considering going to Van Nuys and doing just that if he stands for reelection. I want that guy out of there. I consider him an enemy of freedom."
"We've been getting some calls."
"I'm furious about this. I feel betrayed."
"I've noted all this down. Thanks for your comments. I will pass them on."
"Thanks, Zack."
PLEASE CALL ZACK
202-225-4695
HE HAS A SORE THROAT, SO YOU GET TO DO A LOT OF TALKING
If you're a Democrat, especially, let Zack know you are thinking of joining the Democrats Against Berman movement.
Wait...
(one hour later)
...tell Berman's office to check out the Democrats Against Berman website at
www.slumdance.com
2 - Brian Flemming
direct link:
Democrats Against Berman
3 - Eric Olsen
Classic Brian, thanks! You are a man of conviction and action - not always the right conviction, but I kid. Great job, glad you're on this one, maybe something will actually happen.
4 - Phillip Winn
Bravo, Brian! Conveniently, I note that Lamar Smith is in my state (though not my district), and I have a little free time here, so...
5 - Phillip Winn
Hmm, they didn't even ask for my address, which tells me that they don't care one whit what I think. I told them I was a Republican, which I think is still technically true on the books, though my voting record wouldn't make that obvious.
I did say that Smith's support of nanotechnology was commendable but expensive, but the idea of using federal resources to enforce civil laws is "simply insane."
6 - Brian Flemming
Good work, Phillip.
If anyone want to link to Democrats Against Berman from their site--any site, anywhere, however inconspicuous--that will help Democrats Against Berman be a top search result on "Howard Berman."
Just be sure the link says "Howard Berman."
http://www.slumdance.com/democratsagainstberman/
I think I might buy a Google AdWord for "Howard Berman," too. Then call his office and tell them to do a search.