Copyright Proposal Induces Worry
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Copyright officials recommended on Thursday that U.S. law be amended so that companies that rely on copyright infringement to make a profit can be held liable for their actions. The U.S. Copyright Office delivered its recommendations to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which had asked for advice in developing proper language for the proposed Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act (SB2560). The initial version of the bill, which would hold technology companies liable if they make products that encourage people to infringe copyrights, generated a firestorm of criticism from technology and consumer groups alike. But while the copyright office — which released its recommendations publicly on Friday — clearly made a good-faith effort to address the concerns of the music and movie industries, technology companies and consumers, critics said the bill would take copyright law in a dangerous direction. “The copyright office is now suggesting the exploration of a new and radically unprecedented approach to copyright law,” said Bob Schwartz, counsel for the Consumer Electronics Association and the Home Recording Rights Coalition. “It would not require that a defendant in a copyright suit have any knowledge of infringing conduct, any relationship with a particular infringer or any intent to commit a violation of the law.” The copyright office proposed that a company that makes technologies that help individuals digitally transmit copyright materials to the public will be liable if the firm relies on such infringing activities to make money or attract people to its service. In a memorandum to the Senate Judiciary Committee, officials from the Copyright Office wrote that they believe their recommendation is the best approach to catch current P2P services built on copyright infringement and is flexible enough to target future “bad actors” as well. More : wired.com |