"Super-DMCA" Bills In Tennessee and Arkansas 310
David Turner writes "Tomorrow, Tennessee's Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing
on two nearly identical DMCA-like bills. These bills threaten
personal privacy, anonymity, and security research. SB
213 and HB457
are similar to state laws
introduced all over the country by the MPAA. Despite amendments, the bills still threaten digital freedom. Last
month, twenty people showed up at the Massachusetts public
hearing, and effectively opposed the one MPAA lobbyist. If you attend, speak from notes rather than simply reading a statement (but you
may be able to submit written testimony). Please come to Legislative
Plaza in Nashville, rooms 12 and 14 at 3:30pm." And Kraken137 writes "The House and Senate of the Arkansas state legislature have passed the MPAA's "Super-DMCA" Bill, and it is now sitting on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature. It's not too late to convince him to veto this bill! Arkansas residents are urged to contact the Governor's office to express their opposition to this violation of rights. The ever-vigilant EFF has a page where residents can send a fax to Governor Huckabee's office to let their voices be heard. Remember, paper and phone calls make more of a difference than emails!"
Good Luck (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Good Luck (Score:3, Insightful)
screw you. at least come up with an alternative.
meanwhile at least we're doing _something_.
Re:Good Luck (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Good Luck (Score:3, Funny)
Replace governor with any of the following:
politician
senator
president
adminstration
Sorry, but I can't help but laugh at that statement. The governor receives donations like any other politician.
Correct in fact, wrong in spirit. (Score:3, Insightful)
Instead, politicians generally have to defer to "experts" on unfamiliar matters like technology policy. So a "suggestion" from an informed-soundin
You have a chance in TN. (Score:5, Informative)
Actually, I am a member in good standing of the media in TN. I am a avid slashdotter, and apparently my plate has been too full to see this one coming down the street. Terribly sorry for the gaff, but here is some TN advice.
SO here is what I would suggest to people, as I know Phil Bredesen (the Gov), and interview him about once a week or more...
Pick a spokesman for the
He is a nerd. Harvard math. Grad school stuff. He likes computers. I kid you not. He will get technical with you in a second about a number of subjects (he one day asked what Kelvin the color temperature my camera was getting in the shade). It is actually refreshing to meet a man that is the governor that is also smart enough to look up to. This is a man that got elected on the "TN is not thinking smart about its finances, and I know finances" platform. He should know. He is a self-made millionaire, so he doesn't worry about re-election money or owing anyone anything. He's already got money. He even turned down his salary because of budget problems. I don't like politicians because I see them up close, but I actually like this guy.
So, if you can, make a very detailed, very compelling argument to him FROM HIS CONSTITUENTS and send it off. If he gets it I guarantee it will not pass over his head... few things do. I would help, but I work for the local news, and well, my microphone is pointing at him too often to get involved.
Personally, I think that Phil Bredesen is your best shot on shooting this down in TN. The TN House and Senate are the most political animals on the planet (truly "Old Southern Politics" at work) so there is no hope there with the lobbyists around.
Good luck guys.
Re:Good Luck (Score:4, Insightful)
libertarians (Score:3, Interesting)
Write your senator (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Write your senator (Score:2, Funny)
Synopsis for the lazy? (Score:2, Interesting)
Just telling me that the Super-DMCA threatens my "personal privacy, anonymity, and security" won't quite get me to bite, thanks.
Re:Synopsis for the lazy? (Score:3, Informative)
EFF page for TN action as well (Score:5, Informative)
[eff.org]
http://action.eff.org/action/index.asp?step=2&i
Re:EFF page for TN action as well (Score:5, Informative)
Re:EFF page for TN action as well (Score:4, Insightful)
For crying out loud people, leave you homes and SHOW them how many people care.
Do you really think it will matter? Ok, so a bunch of people show up, and facing a modicum of public opposition they don't act on the bill.
...until 9 months from now when people lose interest in it, the lobbyists make their wishes known, and the bill gets tacked on as a rider to some unrelated (but much easier to pass) piece of legislation, signed by the governor, and becomes law. The end.
I don't think you realize how little control you have over your government. It's all money, all the time. In cases where public interest collides with money, the public interest will lose every single time. And if they can't get it the first time, they'll get it the second.
Your voice doesn't matter.
Re:EFF page for TN action as well (Score:5, Insightful)
Why not do away with entertainment purchases for a year to see how much of an impact we can make? Are we too addicted to their drug to do this?
Because for this to have any effect whatsoever it would have to be done by a significant percentage of the population. How will you be able to spread the word about this boycott? Do you think you could ever get more than a modicum of people to join in? Man, hell no! "Law & Order" is on tonight!
Think about this: There hasn't been an effective consumer boycotts since the 1980's. Even the religious right has given up on product boycotts. Why do you think that is? And do you think you could fight the backlash of propaganda from the media were this to ever even to show the smallest signs of gaining traction?
Re:EFF page for TN action as well (Score:3, Interesting)
I also agree that getting enough people to do it would be difficult. Spreading the word is probably about as difficult as convincing my mother to use Linux.
As per your Law & Order comment, it is obvious to me that the industry has a firm grip on the populace, because I know people just like that. Convincing them to boycott something to whi
Re:EFF page for TN action as well (Score:3, Interesting)
At their core, they are not really all that different from a monopoly. The only difference is that it's several different "separate" companies all working under the umbrella of another separate ??AA entity.
And really, are these companies competing? Each company has exclusive rights to all of it's content and contracted artists. It's not like an artist working unde
Re:EFF page for TN action as well (Score:3, Funny)
Word!
Say goodnight Jack!
Faxes (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Faxes (Score:5, Funny)
Actually that'd get the point across. "Why is this ink so expensive? The DMCA prevents companies from providing cheap alternative ink cartridges. You idiot! It was only supposed to work in our price gouging policies."
Re:Faxes (Score:2)
Better ways of convincing political figures (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Better ways of convincing political figures (Score:3, Funny)
Don't listen to what the press says. There is no Super-DMCA bill being passed. This is an outright lie as told by these warmongering animals.
Re:Better ways of convincing political figures (Score:5, Insightful)
We are the customer, in the end we hold all the power. True - they may have to beat some of us back with a stick to keep us from buying their product eventually. But right now their primary task is looking around for a bigger stick to beat the customer with. Eventually, we'll just say "ouch" and walk away.
Re:Better ways of convincing political figures (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
What I want to know ... (Score:5, Funny)
We need some kind of tracking website... (Score:5, Insightful)
Someone (not me, I have things [freenetproject.org] to do) needs to set up a website tracking this type of event, which allows people to enter their zipcodes and email addresses to be alerted when a lobbying opportunity arises in their area. I would be the first to sign up for Southern California.
If you feel you are up to the task - email me at ian[@]locut.us and I will do what I can to help, within the time contraints of my other projects.
Re:We need some kind of tracking website... (Score:5, Informative)
good thing there already are things like this in place:
http://capwiz.com/afr/home/ [capwiz.com]
i've found it really handy, so far. nice record of how my reps and senators voted.
Dont Do it!! (Score:5, Funny)
Just sit back and take it easy.. writing letters is hard. Hey! whats on TV? could be you're missing a reeeealy good show! Nothing more to see here, move along..
This post has been sponsored by the **ia, this space for rent.
Re:Dont Do it!! (Score:2)
No, I Tivo'd it. Michael Powell said I should!
Re:Dont Do it!! (Score:2, Insightful)
If you dare to disagree with your government in a time of war, you too will be told to "STFU, what would a lousy computer programmer k
I live in Arkansas (Score:4, Insightful)
are to busy lining their pockets. Hucklebarry has cut budgets to about every social service in arkansas other than medicaid and food stamps. He will no doubt get a nice contribution from one of the labels for signing it.
I faxed Huckabee... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I faxed Huckabee... (Score:5, Interesting)
Which is sad, because in theory, they have no voting rights as a corporation. How can the people who demand the freedom to do what we want with the things we own be overpowered by a band of theives which should theoretically have no political power?
Simple... Good old classic bribery through the "good buddy" system, you scratch my back, I scratch yours, etc...
Why do we put up with this and just let it happen? Especially when we are the ones who lose in the deal?
They won't be satisfied until they can pass legislation to make it illegal to even open the case on your computer, DVD player, television, VCR, Tivo box, etc. And even after that they'll be looking into ways to force people to wear a device which prevents them from perceiving any audio/visual signals which are not authorized by their organizations.
Re:I faxed Huckabee... (Score:2)
Anyways, how do you suggest we stop it? Short of a revolution, that is...
Blame it on the "noisy" ex-presidents (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I faxed Huckabee... (Score:3, Interesting)
Which is why I still advocate my unique and unfortunately unherelded campaign finance reform plan. It can easily be modified to encompass lobbyists as well.
1) There are no limits to campaign contributions, but...
2) You must be a registered voter. No corporations, unions or foreign nationalities allowed.
3) An exception is provided for independent political action committees, but...
4) They may only receive funds from registered
Re:I faxed Huckabee... (Score:5, Insightful)
What's to stop the corrupt company in question (read RIAA / MPAA) to simply find a company rep in the proper riding and "decide" to give him a salary of $5 million a year. Perhaps that registered voter might "decide" to contribute $4.9 million to the candidate they wish to buy... er... support.
I think it would be a little better to simply cap contributions at $20,000 a year per political party or representitave.
Or just ban it outright - while you're in office, you get your paycheck from the government - anything else gets you jail time.
N.
Re:I faxed Huckabee... (Score:5, Interesting)
Governor Huckabee (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Governor Huckabee (Score:5, Insightful)
Talking To Americans [tvguidelive.com]
I mean if the guy is stupid enough to say that, he is stupid enough to sign this bill, so WRITE, PHONE, GO DOWN IN PERSON to this guy and STOP HIM!
Re:Governor Huckabee (Score:5, Funny)
I read an interview with Rick Mercer about this, and it's one of the funniest things I've ever read.. the story behind the whole thing is funnier than what you saw on TV..
Rick and the crew were outside the Arkansas legislature building, getting the typical "man on the street" responses, when someone from the Governor's office comes out and asks where the're from... Rick gives them the "we're from CBC television getting reaction from the people of Arkansas, blah, blah (he notes that nobody questions why Canadians would want to know the opinion of someone from Arkansas).. they immediately get hustled into the Governor's office, where they get an interview with Mike Huckabee.. he said he was sweating bullets, because he knew that anyone could just open up an internet connection and see that the House of Commons is not an igloo, but nobody ever did..
Then, just before the interview, Huckabee says he wants a private chat with Mercer, and pulls him aside.. at this point, Rick is thinking "damn, we've been made.." but Huckabee just says to him: "This here igloo, it's not controversial in any way is it? Because it wouldn't look right for me to be making a comment about something that's controversial to Canada." Rick assures him that no sir, there is nothing controversial about it at all..
They get their interview, and as Rick put it "got the hell outta Dodge, before anyone wised up."
Re:Governor Huckabee (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Governor Huckabee (Score:2, Funny)
And for the mulitmedia [wedonotliveinigloos.com] inclined, you gotta check out the bush [wedonotliveinigloos.com] video as well.
The horses are already out of the barn... (Score:5, Interesting)
I heard nothing about it at the time, of course, and so it's a bit too late to do anything abou it. Sure, you can try to get a law repealed, but it's significantly more difficult to get a law off the books than it is to keep it off in the first place.
Re:The horses are already out of the barn... (Score:3, Informative)
That won't work... (Score:4, Informative)
Now, if you had a reasonable fear that your activities would be subject to lawsuit, you could try to get an affirmation from the court as to whether your actions were legal or not. The only problem with this approach, as we've seen in recent DMCA legal wrangingling, is that the judge may throw it out, once again, because you have no standing.
Also, as far as suing retailers over possession of these devices, the law doesn't address that. I can certainly use NAT within my corporate network, and I can use NAT on my Internet service assuming my provider is okay with it. It's just saying that I can't use NAT unless they say it is okay.
The simple solution to all of this is to pay more money, either to the company who is making you pay per connection now, or buying into a service that doesn't care. I have DSL service through speakeasy and they don't care what I do. I run servers, I use NAT, and they are totally happy. I pay more and I get more. As long as there is competition in the market this isn't a problem.
Democratizing factor of the internet... (Score:5, Interesting)
I just dont understand... (Score:2, Insightful)
Why is the RIAA allowed to just snoops around just based on suspicion. The police need this thing called a WARRANT. If I went snooping around the RIAA offices because I thought they stole something from me I'd probably be arrested for breaking and entering.
I can understand when bills get past that may not necessarily be good for anyone but a big c
Re:I just dont understand... (Score:2)
Would make an interesting half-column article on the 18th page of the local section of the paper.
It's time to really do something, people... (Score:5, Informative)
This DMCA stuff is serious. Together with the USA PATRIOT act, we are *seriously* look at an Orwellian future, people.
It's really time to do something, no more procrastinating.
If you can't go out and do something in person, then at least make a donation to the EFF [eff.org] and the ACLU [aclu.org]. They both even have a monthly recurring system where you can have a small charge made to your credit card every month. A monthly contriubtion will make you feel a lot less guilty when going to the movie theater or blockbuster.
Please don't let this pass you by. The ??AA lobbyists are subverting our freedoms to tell us what we are allowed to do with the things we already own!
It's ridiculous that corporations have more political power than the people who actually elect our officials. Can we not read the bribery between the lines? This is offensive on so many levels...
It's time to act, people. How do you want your future to be determined -- by youself or by a corporation?
Re:It's time to really do something, people... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:It's time to really do something, people... (Score:5, Interesting)
Agreed.
The only two I have found which are large enough to put a dent in the lobbyists's progress is the EFF and ALCU. If anyone knows of any others, I'd be glad to check them out.
Since the only thing our politicians will listen to is lobbyists, we need to form powerful lobbyists groups of our own to protect our interests. The only way we can grant these groups power is to donate our time and/or money to their cause. Since we are far less organized than the ??AA's, so we need all the help we can get.
Re:It's time to really do something, people... (Score:5, Interesting)
Since the only thing our politicians will listen to is lobbyists, we need to form powerful lobbyists groups of our own to protect our interests.
More specifically, they listen to lobbyists with money. If you can help legislator X to get reelected by contributing to his campaign funds, you will have that legislator's ear. If you are merely operating from ideology but can do nothing to help that legislator win the next election, you may get lucky and be able to have lunch with him or her, but you will not have any long term effect.
The day of effective public advocacy groups is over. Nader is a laughing-stock, the ACLU is loathed by many members of the judiciary and much of the public, the EFF has been almost completely ineffective, and the American public is content with whatever legislative travesty the President advocates, so long as it is in the name of national security and supported by Republicans.
Corporate lobbyists control the legislative process. You, unfortunately, have no impact on this process. Your precious vote is worthless.
Re:It's time to really do something, people... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:It's time to really do something, people... (Score:3, Insightful)
So, go out, vote, get your friends to vote. Look at the records of those you can vote for, if they lied, if they deviated, if they were "bought" they're instantly ineligable. Make a damn party or event out
Re:It's time to really do something, people... (Score:2, Interesting)
Orwell, or Atwood [startribune.com], either way we're all screwed.
YMCA (Score:2, Funny)
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Oh, wait..
User Friendly (Score:4, Funny)
It's fun to violate D.M.C.A. [userfriendly.org]
Why is everyone surprised about this legislation (Score:5, Insightful)
What You Can't Do (Score:5, Insightful)
This would make it illegal for me to use fake referrer IDs (which I sometimes use) on my web browser. This would forbid me to share the DSL connection I share with my father's computer- why would ISPs ever want to allow shared connections? This would forbid me from burning my own music to CD, meaning the music that I myself composed.
The way it's worded actually outlaws power-line networking! While I don't really see that as a bad thing- people picking up on that will oppose the bill, and I think power-line networking is a Really Bad Idea(TM), it's more devious than that- with the "express consent required," you would have to get written consent from the companies in question whenever you want to plug something in to a wall outlet if power-line networking occurs.
This is a truly horrid, debilitating law- which I have every intention to flagrantly violate if I get a chance- start a company that specializes in making nothing but those things, use resources that law would forbid...
The "must get permission" thing is the part that scares me the most.
You didn't compose it (Bright Tunes v. Harrisongs) (Score:2)
This would forbid me from burning my own music to CD, meaning the music that I myself composed.
Do you claim to have composed a song? Have you ever listened to the radio? If so, then you are presumed to have copied the song from another song in violation of federal copyright law (Bright Tunes v. Harrisongs; analysis [columbia.edu]; more analysis [vwh.net]).
Re:You didn't compose it (Bright Tunes v. Harrison (Score:3, Interesting)
Since they have gone so far to flip over the law from "that which is not forbidden is legal" to "that which is not explicitly allowed is illegal" then why assume they will never do the same for budern of proof?
Re:What You Can't Do (Score:2)
IANAL, but my understanding of the Ninth Amendment to the US Constitution is that it frames a "everything not forbidden is protected" slant on US law. I am sure that (even if this is not strictly true) one could make a convincing argument that this law imposes Too Much Control over the citizen (aka "co
DMCA (Score:3, Interesting)
Get with the program. The owners of the copyrights to digital media are the only ones who should be authorized to tell you when and how you can listen to the products you buy. Ownership? You don't jack except the worthless piece of plastic that won't play in your machine.
The rights of consumers count for very little in a paranoid world of corporate heads who do NOT understand that people are buying their products because they suck. Naw, it is the technology that allows people to filter out the crap that is to blame. Doublespeak that has been endorsed through the courts.
I have a list of ten CDs I would like to buy because I have either lost my old ones or I have them only on tape and they are getting awfully warn out now. Still, I hesitate. Except for the stuff from SST from old Post punk bands of the time I hate the idea of funding the people that made the mantra Corporate Rock still Sucks so true and sad.
Summation of Super DMCA (Score:5, Informative)
These bills are REALLY stupid (Score:5, Insightful)
In other words... (Score:5, Interesting)
27829379428734982379487239847293847923487293487
488794879872082407187409167
987238471287491387492874827493874365873658
327647234729384727394823794823747234923
is illegal and will be prosecuted by the full extent.
Because this number just happens to be a Britney song encoded in Radix-50 MPEG-4 format.
If you got this number in your calculations, you MUST
stop now and erase it as soon as possible.
Re:In other words... (Score:3, Funny)
It's a shame (Score:5, Insightful)
No way would most people skip out on Matrix 2! Can you imagine, not forking over $8 to the MPAA to see a movie?!
Forget freedom, what's on TV?
Re:It's a shame (Score:3, Interesting)
Call me a pessimist, but can you say "Phantom Menace"?
This just shows... (Score:2, Insightful)
They don't care about us, all they want is our cash. They introduce shit laws as these to get more and more money.
A few of us try to fight it...
They try to take our rights away, so stand up and fight!
Mobilize everyone you know against the DMCA, educate them about it.
Go out and win a few battles (Score:5, Interesting)
It would send a more powerful message if politicians faced recall votes over issues like these. I don't see that happening though.
I'm sorry, but... (Score:4, Funny)
I'm sure he'll send Deputy Dawg around to rustle up the perpetrators.
Re:I'm sorry, but... (Score:2)
How does this legislation get proposed everywhere? (Score:3, Interesting)
Do state senators e-mail each other saying "here's a great opportunity for you to screw your consitituents".
Or, is someone with a vested interest going to reps from each state government, and pleading the need for this (along with some generous campaign donations)?
Can anyone shed some light on this?
Re:How does this legislation get proposed everywhe (Score:5, Informative)
H.R. 107 (Score:5, Interesting)
********
Thank you for contacting my office regarding H.R. 107, the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (DMCRA). With changes in how consumers access copyrighted material, I agree that we must reexamine the application of our copyright laws.
As a member of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, I will have the opportunity to work closely on this issue and agree that we must create a balance between protecting the artist's work and providing access for consumers. While copyright law should protect the property rights of the creators of a work, we must also ensure that consumers of those works have fair access to the material. Just as radio changed the way copyright law applied to music, the development of the Internet, peer-to-peer networks and digital copies are changing the applicatio of copyright law.
One way to address the imbalance is H.R. 107, which requires the producer of a work to properly label what the limits of how their materials may be used or accessed. In addition, the bill ensures that consumers have a fair use right to circumvent any new copyright protections. As this legislation is considerd in the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, I will be sure to keep your view in mind.
Again, thank you for contacting me and, if I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Very truly yours,
Melissa Hart
Member of Congress
************
Re:H.R. 107 (Score:5, Insightful)
Make Note (Score:4, Insightful)
If you read Slashdot, then more than likely you have above average interest and knowledge about computers and technology.
For political expediency, I'll just identify you as Knowledge Workers of the Third Millenium (rather than karma whores, trolls, etc.)
If ever in the future you might consider starting your own technology-related business, or already own a technology-related business, then you can start to increase your employee morale, productivity and unfettered creativity by choosing a place to base your business that does not place draconian measures on the free flow of information for the sake of vested special interest groups saying words like "piracy" and "patriotism".
A trickle of feedback like this to a few chambers of commerce in the right states would do wonders in stemming the tide of such ill-thought legislation. Just about every state in the USA and every locality everywhere wants to become the next Silicon Valley. If you let them know, as the kind of person that makes up what makes Silicon Valley represents, that Tennesse (or wherever) is condemning itself to becoming a repressive backwater by adopting the same kind of legislation that has done so much to help the information economies
What does this mean for the average user? (Score:4, Funny)
American stupidity is the stuff of legends. (Score:3, Interesting)
While all of this is going on, that very same government passes legislation that has the side-effect of making the research of *real* security illegal. This not only effectively stops the advancement of security, it degrades existing security as well.
This makes no fucking sense.
It's so hypocritical, it's almost religious. What a remarkable Americna innovation. We are the image of our leader.
Welcome to my world [the War on Drugs] (Score:4, Insightful)
Sad to say your complaints are falling on deaf ears. The politians don't give a rat's ass what you want. Wait until they start locking you guys up for using ssh or squid proxy.
Again, welcome to my world. Can you pass the soap?
Re:Welcome to my world [the War on Drugs] (Score:3, Interesting)
I guess before long, the risks of engaging in perfectly harmless activities like information security will outweigh their value. Then I'll probably quit technology too for the same reason.
"Suspect was apprehended for cipher posession and we believe he intended to use the cipher. I recommend the maximum sentence of 10 years in federal pr
No they don't (Score:5, Informative)
Having worked in the US Congress as a Legislative Correspondent, I can confidently say, huh uh! We physically counted phone calls, letters, faxes and emails completely equally with no regard to their type, as did every other congressional office that I was familiar with. The only thing that made one correspondence count and another not is if one was not from a constituent address.
Re:No they don't (Score:3, Informative)
Apples and Oranges. We're talking about state legislatures debating state bills. Each state legislature has far fewer consitutents (and far fewer letters, phone calls, etc.) than anybody on Capitol Hill. They also get far less voter attention than federal politicians, which makes every vote count even more.
Hell, if you're worried about your inability to reach your state legislators, go to the legislature's
Re:No they don't (Score:3, Interesting)
I don't know if this is a good thing, but soon as my Congress critter learned I'm an interested constituent, my email, phone and mail have been bombarded with invites for town hall meetings and current issue newsletters.
Too bad all they want is my support, in the name of political fundraisings.
How to stop this ? (Score:4, Insightful)
1) Prohibits monitary donations to individuals with voting rights (i.e. NO LOBBYS / Corporations / Associations ).
2) Put a cap on monitary donations to no more than $ 5000.00 total per year to any policitcal campain (Local, Federal, or State). This would force "individuals" to re-think how they donate monies.
3) ALL donations regardless of the amounts must appear on the donater's tax returns (any amount over the $ 5000 would be taxed at the maximum % as a penalty)
4) All donations must appear on the polititians "records" and NOT aggrigrated.
NOTE: Lobbiests could still violage #1 but would be severely limited by #2 and #3.
campaign spending limit (Score:5, Informative)
This may sound like a restriction to free speech... Yet if you think of it, the only way those people could have that much money was not from contributions from citizens,but using slush funds and corporate donations. Corporations have no right to free speech!
(Interesting note: membership fees for political parties are partly tax-deductible, but the receipts don't bear the name of the party so that the tax service doesn't see who you vote for. Of course, it is pretty useless since the membership fees for all major parties are known, it's just a matter of looking the price up!)
s-DMCA violates Federal HIPAA requirements? (Score:4, Insightful)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act now requires these sorts of technologies when electronically communicating medical information. So will doctors in these states nolonger be able to access patient, hospital or insurance records from off-site?
It's all a question of priority. Your medical information isn't as important as the latest Britany Spears release.
A Humble Arkansan's Input . . . (Score:5, Interesting)
Being a concerned Arkansas citizen, I contacted the representative who I consider to be the chief co-sponsor of House Bill 2361, the Arkansas 'Super-DCMA' bill that currently before the Governor's desk. He was kind enough to respond in brief although he is not my representative and with the end of this regular session (the second longest in Arkansas' history) must tend to more pressing matters. The summary of the email is an agreement to discuss the bill with me in greater detail soon (I trust him). He also made this one brief comment:
If anyone cares to hear the specifics of my future interview, I'll post it on my web site after the interview is held. Granted, the point is rather moot since the bill passed both houses.
So is it illegal to sell a CDRW in Illinois? (Score:3, Informative)
I'm not a lawyer, but it certainly appears to be that way. CDW, look out.
Comments on Faxing / Contacting the AR Governor (Score:5, Informative)
I first learned of this phenomina when I lived in Northern Virginia and became friends with a Legislative Assistant of a prominent US Senator. He commented that the US Senators always, always, always ignore any communication not sent by a consitutent. He said, "that's why they have their own Senators."
So, if you're not from Arkansas, don't expect to be heard by our Governor.
More information (Score:3, Informative)
Additionally, there have been a continuing series of articles in this publication as well as others produced by ACM providing additional analysis of the topic along with recommendations for action.
Give it a good read... its both encouraging that such comprehensive analysis is in fact being brought to the highest levels of government, and discouraging in that thus far it seems to have made little difference.
Finally, this might be a good reason to join ACM to add to the strength of their(our) voice.
Divide and Conquer (Score:3, Funny)
An Effective Strategy
Congratulations, MPAA and RIAA, you have found the right way to do the wrong thing.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:At least this won't stifle innovation. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:At least this won't stifle innovation. (Score:2)