WRITE YOUR CONGRESS PERSON: Support the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act! (narzy's GF pic inside)

[nagger]

I'm not a US citizen but I support you guys on this struggle agaisnt the greedy music and movie industry.

I've read a lot of stuff about the DMCA and this new DMCRA in sites like The Register and The Inquirer and I support the DMCRA because it implements respect for the copyright holders and also for the consumers.

Good luck with your letters.

 

[dmcowen674]

Nice Job Tim,

With all the garbage going on related to Computers & Internet there really should be a Forum just for all of that Politics related and movements like this should be stickied, any mods present?

 

[hamburglar]

 

[TNTrulez]

You know what's the most effective way of contacting your rep? FAX them!

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

Here's my rep's reply. It seems like she voted for the DMCA from the tone. She blames broadband access

Here's a quote

If we cannot protect the intellectual property rights of artists and studios, the sources of
high-quality content will dry up, and demand for broadband services will remain low. And if studios and the recording industry are unable to come
up with ways to distribute and protect media over the Internet, they could lose a huge potential market.

Here's the whole text

Many thanks for contacting me with your support for the "Digital Media
Consumers' Rights Act. I share your concerns and am actively working on
this issue in Congress.

Protecting artists? intellectual property rights while promoting consumer
access to new media is one of the great challenges of the digital
communications era. How we strike that balance will have far-reaching
implications.

The entertainment and IT industries were two of the engines behind our
economy?s dynamic growth in the 1990s ? and future economic growth will
depend on the strength of both.

But, as you know, the spread of high-speed Internet access raises
difficult questions about the protection of digital ?content? ? the music,
movies, and other products available on-line. If we cannot protect the
intellectual property rights of artists and studios, the sources of
high-quality content will dry up, and demand for broadband services will
remain low. And if studios and the recording industry are unable to come
up with ways to distribute and protect media over the Internet, they could
lose a huge potential market.

I support ongoing efforts by the entertainment, IT, and consumer
electronics industries to develop new technologies and standards that
protect intellectual property and expand broadband Internet access. This
is not an effort that lends itself to government mandates. Indeed,
technology moves too fast. Ensuring ongoing, effective protection of
digital content requires flexibility, which can only come from the ability
of the private sector to respond.

Progress has already been made toward addressing this challenge. Congress
has an appropriate role to play ? by encouraging negotiation, monitoring
progress, and, if necessary, passing legislation to enforce standards
developed by industry. We must find a balance that neither stifles
innovation nor erodes intellectual property rights, while remaining
mindful of the rights of consumers. If we do this incorrectly, we may
cause irreparable harm.

Thank you, again, for writing to me about this important topic. As a
member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue to
actively monitor this matter, and appreciate your views. Please continue
to be in touch.

Regards,

JANE HARMAN
Member of Congress
http://www.house.gov/harman

 

[narzy]

that sounds like a very well written and thought out letter, that was written with a great deal of respect. although I disagree with some of the points made, some are valid aswell. I will go into it more clearly after I get a good nights sleep .

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: TNTrulez
You know what's the most effective way of contacting your rep? FAX them!

Not sure if this is true, but I heard the most effective way to get your point across is to write your congress person a letter. Second would be to fax them and last would be to email them.

No idea where a phone call would fit though.