FC: Congress mulls P2P restrictions, weighs mandatory labeling

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[Yes, let's require everyone around the globe to rate files shared via 
Kazaa and other P2P networks. That'll work well! Great idea! --Declan]

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http://news.com.com/2100-1025-992471.html

   Congress mulls new P2P porn restrictions
   By Declan McCullagh
   March 13, 2003, 10:37 AM PT

   WASHINGTON--Members of Congress on Thursday said new laws aimed at
   restricting pornography on peer-to-peer networks might be necessary,
   as police vowed to step up enforcement efforts.

   During a hearing of the House Government Reform Committee, politicians
   complained of two problems: The allegedly widespread distribution of
   illegal child pornography on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, and the ease
   by which a youth could stumble across sexually explicit files that may
   be legal for adults but inappropriate for minors.

   "We have a rating system for videogames. We have a rating system for
   music," said Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fl., who suggested a
   government-mandated system would be appropriate for files on P2P
   networks. Otherwise, Putnam warned, P2P users could "prey on spelling
   errors of third graders looking for Pokemon."

   [...]




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