> FOR RELEASE
> Contact: Jeff Joseph or Jenny Miller
> tel: (703) 907-7664 tel: (703) 907-7079
> e-mail:
jjoseph@ce.org e-mail:
jmiller@ce.org
>
http://www.CE.org
>
>
> CEA Expresses Strong Opposition to Tennessee "Model Communications
> Security" Bills
>
> Association Joins Philips and Sharp in Speaking Out Against SB 213 and
> HB 457
>
>
> Arlington, VA, May 20, 2003 - The Consumer Electronics Association
> (CEA) today joined CEA member companies Philips Consumer Electronics
> North America and Sharp Electronics Corporation in speaking out about
> anti-consumer and anti-technology legislation currently being
> considered today by the Tennessee General Assembly. This legislation
> has been promoted as addressing theft of cable and Internet service,
> but in fact threatens the manufacture, sale and use of legitimate
> products such as computers, televisions and personal video recorders.
>
> "This overreaching legislation is not about piracy or theft of
> service; this legislation is about Hollywood trying to dictate what
> products lawful consumers can use in the privacy of their homes," said
> CEA Vice President of Technology Michael Petricone. "The Motion
> Picture Association of America (MPAA) has devoted enormous resources
> to a state-by-state effort to 'update' communications security or
> 'theft of service' laws, but if cable and Internet service theft truly
> is the issue, their model legislation - which is reflected in these
> Tennessee bills - is not the solution.
>
> "CEA joins service providers and the content community in their desire
> to address true theft of service and piracy, but these bills are not
> directed at digital pirates. Rather, they unfairly target everyday,
> law-abiding Tennesseans. Existing law already criminalizes theft of
> service."
>
> Petricone expressed concern about the broad scope of the bills under
> consideration.
>
> "With S.B. 213, manufacturers, retailers and their customers could be
> made into criminals for legitimate activities that today they take for
> granted, such as use of consumer electronics products over the
> Internet or allegedly 'unauthorized' uses on a home network.
>
> "For some offenses," Petricone continued, "this legislation requires a
> showing of 'intent to defraud,' but leaves this crucial provision
> undefined. This and other gray areas in these bills mean that a
> consumer who attaches legal products to a broadband network could be
> subject to criminal penalties if the device is not specifically
> permitted by the service contract. S.B. 213 and H.B. 457 would have a
> chilling impact on Tennessee businesses, consumers and innovators.
>
> "These bills would turn average, law-abiding consumers into thieves,"
> said Petricone. "The draconian civil and criminal penalties that
> would be imposed by S.B. 213 are disproportionate to the conduct of
> the person charged with its violations. CEA joins Philips, Sharp, the
> high tech industry, consumer groups, retailers and others in voicing
> opposition to these anti-consumer, anti-technology and anti-innovation
> bills currently being considered in Tennessee. We urge Tennessee
> lawmakers to reject this legislation."
>
> CEA continues to fight for consumer fair use rights in 10 states that
> are considering bills modeled on MPAA's "communications security" or
> "theft of service" legislation, including Tennessee, Texas,
> California, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts,
> Oregon and South Carolina.
>
> About CEA:
> The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade
> association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry
> through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the
> fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents
> more than 1,000 corporate members involved in the design, development,
> manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile
> electronics, wireless and landline communications, information
> technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as
> well as related services that are sold through consumer channels.
> Combined, CEA's members account for more than $85 billion in annual
> sales. CEA's resources are available online at
www.CE.org, the
> definitive source for information about the consumer electronics
> industry.