Several weeks ago, I e-mailed a letter of concern regarding fair use of copyrighted material (including several links arguing both sides of the debate) to my Virginia congressmen. The offices of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Davis and U.S. Senator John Warner both responded to my concerns with the below letters. (I previously posted Warner’s response to my concerns about webcasting fees here.) Be sure to share your comments about these letters here at ZP.
June 3, 2002
Dear Mr. Royer:
I am writing to respond to your communication expression support for maintaining Fair Use rights of digital media. Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attentions.
The Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (S. 2048) has been introduced in the Senate, and referred to the Commerce Committee. In the House of Representatives, this issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property in the Judiciary Committee, which held hearings on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in December of last year. I note your concerns about consumer’s fair use rights being balanced against industry’s copyright privileges, and I will give this issue careful consideration should it be addressed by Congress.
Again, thank you for contacting me to let me know thoughts on this matter. If you have any questions or comments about other issues of importance to you, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
With kind regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Davis
Member of Congress
June 6, 2002
Dear Mr. Royer:
Thank you for your contacting my office to share your views regarding S.2048, the Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act, introduced by Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC). I appreciate your thoughtful inquiry.
Copyright protection has been an important part of the cultural and economic policy of the United States since the founding of the Republic. Article 1, section 8, clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that, “The Congress shall have the power to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.”
While I believe in strong copyright protections, Congress has been charged with striking a balance between protecting authors and artists and making their works available to the public. As you may know, in 1998 Congress passed, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in an effort to address the rights of copyright holders in the digital era. In addition, Congress ordered the Register of Copyrights and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to prepare a joint study to look at the role of copyrights and its relationship with electronic commerce. The study was submitted to Congress on May 1, 2001.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is currently reviewing the proposed legislation and hearings have been held.
The application of trademark and copyright laws to the Internet and how such laws would be enforced remains an issue of Congressional scrutiny. Please be assured of my continued interest and involvement in this important issue. Again, thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention.
If my office can be of further assistance in any matter related to the federal government, please do not hesitate to contact me.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
John Warner
