| Contacts: | Jeff Joseph tel: 703 907-7664 e-mail: jjoseph@CE.org |
Jenny Pareti tel: 703 907 7079 e-mail: jpareti@CE.org |
RIAA v. Verizon Underscores Need for Balanced Copyright Legislation
Lawsuit Highlights "Holes" In the DMCA
| Arlington, Virginia | 2/4/2003 |
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro in response to last week's District Court ruling that Verizon Internet Services must divulge the name of a subscriber to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) because the subscriber allegedly used KaZaA peer-to-peer software to share music online. Verizon is now seeking a stay in the ruling:
"The RIAA's lawsuit against Verizon is yet another example of the need for legislation to address some of the 'holes' in the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
"Surely when it passed the DMCA, Congress did not envision that the Act's subpoena provision would be used against home Internet users. Consumers should not live in fear that their ISP will be required to turn over their identity to any copyright holder simply because someone claims you're doing something illegal.
"Instead of criminalizing its customers the RIAA and the recording industry should focus on developing easy, consumer-friendly business models that leverage the benefits of technology. At the same time Congress and the courts must acknowledge and reinforce the crucial distinction between illegal infringement and authorized fair use.
"This case underscores the critical need to develop a balanced, common sense approach to legitimate concerns about transmission of copyrighted content over the Internet that respects copyright while preserving established fair use rights. CEA will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the content community and with the Congress to establish such a solution."
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (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 $80 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Technology's Future. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.