File Traders Could Do Hard Time

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

just in case DoJ has spare people to help one industry avoid 
modernization. djf


Begin forwarded message:

From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
Date: September 29, 2004 6:43:17 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] File Traders Could Do Hard Time
Reply-To: dewayne () warpspeed com

[Note:  This item comes from reader Mike Cheponis.  DLH]

File Traders Could Do Hard Time 
Reuters

Story location: 
<http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65122,00.html>

04:23 PM Sep. 28, 2004 PT

WASHINGTON -- Users of internet peer-to-peer networks, already dodging 
lawsuits from the recording industry, could face up to three years in 
prison under a bill passed Tuesday by the U.S. House of 
Representatives.

 The House voted to enlist the government to a greater degree in the 
entertainment industry's fight against those who trade copies of its 
products over the internet.


 Federal agents would be directed to educate the public about copyright 
rules and go after those who allow others to copy their music 
collections through peer-to-peer networks like Kazaa and Morpheus.

 Those who secretly videotape movies when they are shown in theaters 
would also face prison sentences of up to three years under the bill, 
which passed by voice vote.

 "The internet has revolutionized how Americans locate information, 
shop and communicate," said Texas Republican Rep. Lamar Smith, a 
sponsor of the bill. "We must not let new internet technologies become 
a haven for criminals."

 The Senate approved a similar bill in June, but differences must be 
reconciled before President Bush signs it into law.

 The Motion Picture Association of America applauded the bill's 
passage, while consumer groups, conservative groups and libraries said 
it would radically broaden copyright law and drag the government into a 
battle that should be handled by the entertainment industry.

 Movie studios and recording companies have pressed Congress to help 
them in their fight against file-trading networks and their millions of 
users.

 The recording industry says file trading is partly to blame for a 
slump in CD sales, and movie studios have reacted with alarm as 
blockbuster films appear online before they're even released in 
theaters.

 The recording industry has sued more than 3,000 individuals over the 
past year for copyright violations, but the Justice Department so far 
has brought only a handful of cases against the heaviest traffickers.

 The bill would train agents to investigate intellectual-property 
crimes and allow them to send warnings to users they suspect of copying 
songs illegally. Those found to be sharing more than 1,000 copyright 
files would face jail time.

 One provision of the bill is likely to anger Hollywood, as it shields 
companies that edit out sex and violence from movies to make them more 
"family friendly." Movie directors have sought to shut down such 
companies in court.

 Copyright bills are likely to loom large in the waning weeks of 
Congress. The Senate this week is expected to consider a measure that 
would make it easier to sue peer-to-peer networks. The bill has drawn 
spirited opposition from the technology industry.

Archives at: <http://Wireless.Com/Dewayne-Net>
Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/