Aaron73153
August 11th, 2002, 05:46 PM
Dear Mr. Kaufman-Moore:
I am writing in response to your comments regarding H.R. 5211, a bill to limit the liability of copyright owners for protecting their works on peer-to-peer networks. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
I cosponsored H.R. 5211 because I support efforts to reduce the rampant piracy of copyrighted works on peer-to-peer networks. Piracy is hurting songwriters, authors, graphic artists, photographers, and software developers in North Carolina and across the country. Contrary to media reports, H.R. 5211 does not allow copyright owners to “hack” into the computers of private network users. H.R. 5211 is intended to clarify that copyright owners may utilize new technologies to protect their property as it is distributed on peer-to-peer networks. In other words, copyright owners could use decoys, spoofs, redirection, or file-blocking to protect their works from piracy. The legislation is narrowly crafted and provides network users with legal recourse against a copyright owner that acts beyond the scope of what is permitted by the legislation.
While H.R. 5211 in its current form may not be the perfect answer to a serious problem, it will stimulate dialogue on finding effective ways to curb piracy. That is why my Subcommittee will conduct a hearing on the issue of piracy on peer-to-peer networks in September. This does not mean that H.R. 5211 will be voted on prior to adjournment this fall. It does mean that my Subcommittee is interested in exploring ways to combat digital theft of copyrighted works, including music and movies.
Thank you again for your comments. If you have futther questions about this matter please contact Debbie Rose of my Subcommittee at (202)225-5741.
Smcerely,
(he actually signed it here, not autopen)
HOWARD COBLE
Chairman
Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property
I am writing in response to your comments regarding H.R. 5211, a bill to limit the liability of copyright owners for protecting their works on peer-to-peer networks. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
I cosponsored H.R. 5211 because I support efforts to reduce the rampant piracy of copyrighted works on peer-to-peer networks. Piracy is hurting songwriters, authors, graphic artists, photographers, and software developers in North Carolina and across the country. Contrary to media reports, H.R. 5211 does not allow copyright owners to “hack” into the computers of private network users. H.R. 5211 is intended to clarify that copyright owners may utilize new technologies to protect their property as it is distributed on peer-to-peer networks. In other words, copyright owners could use decoys, spoofs, redirection, or file-blocking to protect their works from piracy. The legislation is narrowly crafted and provides network users with legal recourse against a copyright owner that acts beyond the scope of what is permitted by the legislation.
While H.R. 5211 in its current form may not be the perfect answer to a serious problem, it will stimulate dialogue on finding effective ways to curb piracy. That is why my Subcommittee will conduct a hearing on the issue of piracy on peer-to-peer networks in September. This does not mean that H.R. 5211 will be voted on prior to adjournment this fall. It does mean that my Subcommittee is interested in exploring ways to combat digital theft of copyrighted works, including music and movies.
Thank you again for your comments. If you have futther questions about this matter please contact Debbie Rose of my Subcommittee at (202)225-5741.
Smcerely,
(he actually signed it here, not autopen)
HOWARD COBLE
Chairman
Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property