Industry groups barred from closed-door Induce Act talks [ip]

This is from Dave Farber's "Interesting People" mailing list.
Forwarded by Declan McCullagh at Politechbot.com

I think it gives more background into what the INDUCE Act means and how
its being added in the back door.

Subject: [Politech] Industry groups barred from closed-door Induce Act
talks [ip]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Key Industry Groups Barred from Senate Copyright Negotiations
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 13:26:07 -0400
From: Gregory N. Minchak
To: gminchak@ccianet.org

Computer & Communications Industry Association
Phone 202.783.2942 Fax 202.783.0534
www.ccianet.org

Please contact:
Will Rodger, 202-783-0070 x 105
Gregory Minchak, 202-783-0070 x 109

For Immediate Release
September 30, 2004


Major industry group barred from meeting on INDUCE Act

Today, staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee are meeting with a
Fraction of supporters and opponents of S. 2560, widely known as the
INDUCE Act.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association, along with dozens of
other commercial, consumer and non-profit interests, will not be
participating. CCIA, which represent companies with more than $200
Billion in sales and 1 million employees worldwide, was specifically
told not to
appear last night by Senator Hatch's Office.

The bill on its face will hamper innovation and harm consumers: Armed
With a new cause of action, Hollywood lawyers will have the power to
bring
suit against any technology, telecommunications or consumer electronics
company that produces a product or service that could be used to
infringe
copyright. Put simply, it covers virtually every recording, duplication
and information technology device today - even the Internet itself.

Perhaps worst of all, S. 2560 cannot work: The odds that other countries
will adopt such draconian legislation are slim to none. Several European
commentators have quipped that they should ready themselves for a wave
of immigration by US high-tech talent if this bill becomes law.

Drafters have failed to account for interests of the public at large.
The bill's authors have thus far ignored virtually every suggestion put
forth by CCIA and a group of 50 companies, non-profits and trade
associations
over the past three months. Opponents of the bill have submitted
numerous proposals and amendments. Yet, despite their good faith
efforts, they
have received no substantive critiques of their work and have been
labeled
"obstructionist".

The stakes involved are high.

Examples of the sorts of devices likely to be affected by this proposal
include:

VCRs
Optical disk recorders
Radio receivers
Audio devices
Instant Messenger
Personal computers
iPods and other personal music players
Online music services
The Internet itself

CCIA, together with computer, telecommunications and consumer
electronics companies, libraries, universities, consumer advocates and
electronics
retailers everywhere opposes S. 2560. We urge the Senate to reject this
bill.

###

Created in 1972, CCIA has long been active in litigation and legislative
activities involving copyright and other intellectual property issues,
ISP liability, and competition policy. CCIA members include Sun
Microsystems, Oracle, Yahoo, Red Hat, Nokia and Verizon.


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