On the legislative and regulatory front, CEA spends much time and effort in the nation’s Capitol representing the industry on consumer electronics issues, including defending the Supreme Court's 1984 "Betamax” decision and protecting consumers’ rights to use their products.

CEA leads a broad coalition of companies and organizations in opposition to the “Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004” (S.2560). The outcry succeeded in keeping the bill from coming before Congress as it was drafted, but the issue is sure to keep rearing its head in coming years.

Another bill threatened to roll back or impede home recording rights, the Intellectual Property Protection Act (H.R. 2391). CEA supported the bill in part, but expressed serious reservations especially as the original bill was rewritten.

At the FCC and in Congress consideration of a “hard deadline” for the broadcasters’ return of analog spectrum, seems to be gaining momentum, spurred by the approach of the original 2006 deadline, exasperation with what some view as the slow pace of the transition, and pressure to get the spectrum back and auction it to providers of new wireless services.

The complex intellectual property issues with their delicate balance between the rights of consumers and copyright holders will continue to dominate discussions, and CEA will continue to encourage government entities to resist restrictive legislation and regulations, foster a level playing field, and let the markets develop and decide new technologies’ future.

CEA continues its educational efforts for consumers and all the stakeholders in the sometimes confusing transition to digital technology. Events include the annual HDTV Summit in Washington, Technology and Standards Forums and various consumer and industry outreach programs. The new CEknowhow online educational program for retailers offers the latest industry expertise on six product categories.

As 2004 drew to a close, CEA and the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) reached agreement to end their formal affiliation, and CEA withdrew from its sector affiliation with EIA effective January 1, 2005. The agreement ends a long-standing relationship between EIA, CEA and CEA's preceding organizations, the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association and the Consumer Electronics Group. The move follows a 1999 decision by the EIA Board of Governors to allow separate incorporation for its sector associations. CEA became a separately incorporated organization in 2000.

Our association has grown by leaps and bounds since we became separately incorporated. Our membership has increased by 300 percent, we have turned the International CES into the world's largest annual trade show for consumer technology, and we continue to move forward in our mission to grow the consumer technology industry. We are excited to see what heights we now can reach as a fully independent association.

Gary Shapiro President and CEO Consumer Electronics Association