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Say That Again

by Mike Masnick

Fri, Sep 17th 2010 10:00am




Filed Under:
competition, copyright, darrell issa, innovation


Rep. Darrell Issa Worried That Strict Copyright Laws Are Stifling Competition And Innovation

from the finally... dept

The list of Congressional Representatives who seem to actually understand copyright issues is a pretty short one (which can be counted with the fingers of one hand), so it's always nice to see at least hints of another one beginning to wake up to the problems of today's copyright laws. While much of the recent House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy focused on a frightfully silly attack on Google, not all of the discussion was apparently about Google. At one point, it appears that Rep. Darrell Issa asked the panelists if "strict intellectual property laws could be stifling competition and innovation." Thankfully, Ed Black from CCIA was one of the panelists, and was quick to point out that this was absolutely true, even pointing out how copyright, at times, appears to "interfere with free speech." I have no idea if this actually means much in the grand scheme of things, but it's so rare to see an elected official even admit that there might possibly be some downsides to copyright law, that it seemed worth highlighting.

10 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  •  
    icon
    Steve R. (profile), Sep 17th, 2010 @ 10:06am

    One Can Only Hope

    Will there be ever be sane voice in Congress?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      icon
      Torinir (profile), Sep 17th, 2010 @ 10:13am

      Re: One Can Only Hope

      Sanity? In government? Never. Not in this lifetime at any rate.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        icon
        ChurchHatesTucker (profile), Sep 17th, 2010 @ 10:24am

        Re: Re: One Can Only Hope

        If by 'sane' you mean 'the industries' wishes' then yes.

        Otherwise you're shit out of luck.

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        identicon
        Doc, Sep 17th, 2010 @ 11:37am

        Re: Re: One Can Only Hope

        It's funny to see that US citizens complain about the same idiocy displayed by their government as we do. We of the former communist countries hope to have governments as efficient, benevolent and incorruptible as yours in about 100 years given current evolution. It seems however they are not all that different "up there".
        Cheers!

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

        •  
          icon
          Steve R. (profile), Sep 17th, 2010 @ 2:31pm

          Re: Re: Re: One Can Only Hope

          We are rapidly moving to a "planned economy" similar to the old USSR. The difference; instead of a bureaucrat idly establishing production goals, we have tax "incentives" to encourage production. So, maybe the old communists will have the last laugh after all.

           

          [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Vic, Sep 17th, 2010 @ 10:56am

    it seemed worth highlighting.

    It definitely does! Thanks!

     

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  •  
    identicon
    BillDivX, Sep 17th, 2010 @ 10:59am

    It would appear...

    That Mr. Issa represents California District 49, which includes Oceanside, where I am a resident.

    I have a vote. and you have my interest, sir. I will be watching you...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      identicon
      bob, Sep 17th, 2010 @ 11:58am

      Re: It would appear...

      Oh man I just thought of Aberto's on the corner of N Redondo and Vandegrift Blvd. now I want one of them Carne Asada Burritos with guacamole. Oh yum.

      Oh and I like Darrell Issa too.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    icon
    Pickle Monger (profile), Sep 17th, 2010 @ 11:27am

    Beware what you wish for...

    Considering how little sense Darrell Issa makes the rest of the time, this will probably cause more harm than good...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    icon
    Kaden (profile), Sep 17th, 2010 @ 12:13pm

    I think it's a coded message to Big Content...

    It's like he's tossing out chum to attract campaign contributions in exchange for refreshing his viewpoints on the subject.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]


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