Fight the INDUCE act
I’m posting this here because I am personally being targeted by Lion’s Gate for something that, while not illegal at the moment, will be under this new law.
It’s so broad, and so ridiculous that even the iPod is at risk.
This is one we have to stop and stop *hard*.
What is the INDUCE act?
The INDUCE Act is legislation being pushed by the record industry that would allow them to file lawsuits against companies that make unrestricted music hardware or software, such as the iPod or filesharing programs. The INDUCE Act will restrict technological innovation, limit free speech, and threaten one of the most vibrant sectors of the United States economy. Instead of taking advantage of new opportunities to build new business models, the record industry is pressuring Congress to stop music sharing with more lawsuits and regulation.
Is the iPod Really at Risk?
Yes! The INDUCE Act would create liability for any company whose product could be used to copy music without permission from the record industry. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has published a fake legal complaint against the iPod to demonstrate the kind of liability that Apple and other companies will face under this legislation
Dude. BAD LAW.
*Update - Here is the text of the Senate draft of the INDUCE Act.
I faxed my Congresspeople. You should too. I also wrote a letter to the editor and sent it to every paper in my state. You can do that too. It’s not a form letter, either, you compose the letter yourself, all Downhill Battle is doing is finding your local papers for you.
Here’s the letter I sent:
Is there anyone out there that thinks stealing music is right and proper? I don’t believe so. But to take the extremes that Senator Hatch wants to take is a giant step backwards for freedom, for communication and for the Internet.
The potential for abuse with this bill is staggering. Under this proposed law, if Bob has a website that talks about filesharing and downloading illegal Mp3s, and I link to Bob’s website saying “This is great site, you should read it!” I am liable for inducing piracy.
This is the beginning of a very steep, very slippery slope, and once we start downhill, we can’t ever come back. What happens when the legal precedent set by this proposed act is extended beyond music and movies? What else will the government, or in this case private companies, decide we can and cannot talk about on the Internet?
I ask you...is that America to you? Is that freedom of speech? This is about a lot more than just record companies and royalties. Orrin Hatch is attacking the very fabric of this country with the INDUCE act. It’s a shameful piece of legislation that should be put down as quickly as it written.
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