AfterDawn: News

Copyright Alliance hopes to strengthen copyright laws

A new Copyright Alliance launched yesterday in Washington D.C. with a self-described goal of "promoting the value of copyright as an agent for creativity, jobs, and growth." While promoting the value of copyright it aims to strengthen existing copyright protection laws. The group has the backing of many organizations including MPAA, NBC, News Corp., Disney, Time Warner, the Business Software Alliance, Microsoft, ASCAP and the NBA.

Several members of congress also back the new Copyright Alliance, including Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and "Hollywood" Howard Berman (D-CA). The group is headed by Patrick Ross, formerly of the Progress & Freedom Foundation who has written about Intellectual Property (IP) issues for years. The Alliance is dedicated to "strengthening copyright law" using "bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements to protect creators" and advancing educational programs "that teach the value of strong copyright."



In several papers published on the organizations website, the group repeats the claim that piracy is responsible for the loss of billions of dollars of sales of software, movies and music and argues that most "fair use" claims made today are misleading.

Source:
Ars Technica

Written by: James Delahunty @ 19 May 2007 6:23

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• 7 comments

• nonoitall

  Quote:The Alliance is dedicated to "strengthening copyright law" using "bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements to protect creators"...
  ...but not consumers. Just another front for the **AA's.

  19.5.2007 14:25 #1

• borhan9

  Quote:[quote]The Alliance is dedicated to "strengthening copyright law" using "bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements to protect creators"...
  ...but not consumers. Just another front for the **AA's.[/quote]Ditto.
  
  This just another organizations to add to the list to look out for.

  19.5.2007 17:09 #2

• huntr

  Has anyone ever wondered why patents expire in what, seven years? Yet copyrights seem to go on forever. Can you imagine what would happen if inventors received the same special treatment that rappers get? The inventor would be able to lock up his breakthrough for decades. Imagine what a hard drive would cost if only one company could make them. Big business tycoons argue that longer periods of exclusive manufacturing stifle the growth of the economy, competition, creativity and they're right. Now listen to the idiots at RIAA and MPAA. They say they need longer periods of protection so that it will stimulate creativity and competition. Bull hockey. What it protects is the MPAA and the RIAA's ability to live off the artists.

  20.5.2007 00:01 #3

• joe777

  Originally posted by huntr:Has anyone ever wondered why patents expire in what, seven years? Yet copyrights seem to go on forever. Can you imagine what would happen if inventors received the same special treatment that rappers get? The inventor would be able to lock up his breakthrough for decades. Imagine what a hard drive would cost if only one company could make them. Big business tycoons argue that longer periods of exclusive manufacturing stifle the growth of the economy, competition, creativity and they're right. Now listen to the idiots at RIAA and MPAA. They say they need longer periods of protection so that it will stimulate creativity and competition. Bull hockey. What it protects is the MPAA and the RIAA's ability to live off the artists.Well said indeed matey!!!well said

  20.5.2007 05:29 #4

• Unfocused

  It seems to me that they more the try to "strengthen" these laws, the more that we will try to find ways around them. This crap needs to end somewhere.
  
  This is going to kill future generations faster than the rainforest or the ozone layer.

  22.5.2007 17:26 #5

• baldy43

  Once again the USA is trying to force their laws onto other countries when they are not able to stop it in the USA. From Mr. Bush down stick it ware it fits. Here in Australia the long distance transport drivers call Mr. Bush Little Bush and you know what truck drivers do to and behind little bushes.

  24.5.2007 14:43 #6

• z9999

  I went to work one day and produced some code that will be used for many years to come. Shouldn't I be able to stay at home and receive a paycheck based on that for the remainder of my life? And if not why not? The company will base an income from my work for many years to come.

  27.5.2007 18:28 #7