Digital FAIR USE bill introduced to amend DMCA

Ah, the day we've all been waiting for has finally arrived -- well, sort of. Yeah, it is still a bill, but it's a refreshing start on a long overdue amendment. While content guardians (we're looking your way, MPAA / RIAA) have done their fair share of beating around the issue and insisting that DRM-laced content was the only way to go, consumers haven't exactly been thrilled about such limitations since day one. In yet another glorious case of red and blue coming together for the good of mankind, Rich Boucher (D-Va.) and John Dolittle (R-Calif.) introduced a breath of fresh air they call FAIR USE, or Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship. The idea, of course, is to simply "make it easier for digital media consumers to use the content they buy" by amending the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; according to the duo, the DMCA simply "goes too far by dramatically tilting the copyright balance toward complete copyright protection at the expense of the public's right to fair use." Boucher further substantiates his case for the most down-to-earth politician of all time by suggesting that if the DMCA remains unadulterated, "individuals will be less willing to purchase digital media" due to the unacceptable restrictions that come along with it. We'd ask for an amen, but we don't want to set off any minor earthquakes.

[Thanks, Kevin M.]

[GadgetGav @ Feb 28th 2007 2:00PM]

I wonder how much money the political parties spend coming up with the LAME (Long And Meaningless Explanation) acronyms for bills these days.
It's a sign of the times I suppose when no elected official actually reads the bills they vote on, so you have to make the title snappy and a word that no-one wants to vote against (PATRIOT Act, I'm looking your way).

[LukeA @ Feb 28th 2007 3:27PM]

The full name is USA-PATRIOT Act.

(Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism)

Not that I agree with it.

[Spartacus @ Feb 28th 2007 2:00PM]

A list of awards I don't want to win...

Coolest uber nerd
Richest homeless man
Nicest facist dictator
Special olympics gold medalist
Most down to earth politician

[Jeremy K. @ Feb 28th 2007 2:02PM]

Yes!

[Javaflash @ Feb 28th 2007 2:03PM]

Ah... another phony politician uses hot topic to grab media attention. Don't bet your house on what will come out of this bill.

[Paul @ Feb 28th 2007 2:05PM]

Oh yeah, and the thing engadget did not mention? This is the fourth time this bill has been introduced...

[paul34 @ Feb 28th 2007 2:15PM]

uh-oh... looks like SOMEONE stopped making campaign contributions and paying their lobbyist slaves...

[Yoyodyn @ Feb 28th 2007 2:18PM]

Maybe all those I-pods for congressmen programs are paying off??

[da5id @ Feb 28th 2007 2:51PM]

Check out this site for youtube style DRM free music publishing:

http://www.bmuze.com

[Nao @ Feb 28th 2007 2:56PM]

spelled "amend" wrong

[andy @ Feb 28th 2007 3:03PM]

The speaker of the house is from California and is supported/funded by Hollywood and the content providers.


Not a snowball's chance that it'll even make it to floor debate, much less an actual VOTE.

[anonymous @ Feb 28th 2007 4:16PM]

The Speaker of the House is from San Francisco. Hollywood isn't in her district.

[Carl @ Feb 28th 2007 3:32PM]

Actually, the same Reps tried this a few years ago: H.R. 1201, the “Digital Media Consumers Rights Act of 2005.” That went exactly nowhere.

[rob @ Feb 28th 2007 3:57PM]

I've met Boucher and he is knowledgable on the subject of DRM and committed to doing the right thing for consumers. He's been at this for a while now.

[danimal @ Feb 28th 2007 4:13PM]

If only there were a way to tie this bill into "protecting the children" it would SAIL through! So, I say rename it "SAVE THE KIDS" or

Stop Audio Video Encryption That Hurt Everyone, Kill Innovation and Destroy Something

Couldn't think of a better word for "Something" in the 30 seconds I had to put that together. Please feel free to re-work.

[Chris @ Feb 28th 2007 5:07PM]

"If only there were a way to tie this bill into "protecting the children" it would SAIL through! So, I say rename it "SAVE THE KIDS" or

Stop Audio Video Encryption That Hurt Everyone, Kill Innovation and Destroy Something

Couldn't think of a better word for "Something" in the 30 seconds I had to put that together. Please feel free to re-work."
---------

I believe "Society" would fit nicely.

[andy @ Feb 28th 2007 5:19PM]

Didn't say Pelosi was from Hollywood; said she was SUPPORTED (i.e., funded) by Hollywood.

Where you're from doesn't matter. It's who's paying your bills that I look at.

[James Hare @ Feb 28th 2007 4:21PM]

Rick Boucher has been a strong advocate of Fair Use rights and has worked with other congressmen to advance a bill similar to this each year since the DMCA was passed. He voted and spoke against the original DMCA. He's well-versed in technology, and probably knows the most about the Internet of anyone in Congress. This is not a "phony politician uses hot topic to grab media attention." This is a dedicated public servant continuing a fight he's been fighting for almost a decade for you, me and everyone else who enjoys shiny toys.
Seriously--Rick Boucher is the man.

[Brishen @ Mar 1st 2007 3:38AM]

here here!

[Paul @ Feb 28th 2007 8:38PM]

"Stop Audio Video Encryption That Hurt Everyone, Kill Innovation and Destroy Something"

Just to tidy this up and make it a little easier on the mouth.

Stop Audio and Video Encryption That Hurts Everyone, Killing Innovation and Destroying Society.

[Eric @ Feb 28th 2007 6:29PM]

Does anyone else find it hilarious that a congressman named Dolittle (Do-little) got elected to congress?