| 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 Decision marks Dark Day for Consumer Rights and Technological Innovation, says CEA
| Arlington, Virginia | 4/25/2003 |
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding yesterday's ruling in RIAA v. Verizon:
"Yesterday's ruling marks a dark day for privacy, free expression, and technological innovation. If this ruling stands, anyone claiming to be a copyright owner will be able to obtain the identity of Internet users without any prior legal determination that the user has engaged in an illegal activity.
"No American should live in fear that their ISP will be required to turn over their identity to any self-asserted copyright holder simply because someone claims you are doing something illegal.
"This ruling could have a chilling effect on manufacturers who seek to develop new technologies that help consumers harness and leverage the power of the Internet. This ruling also could expose Internet users to enormous risk by facilitating fraud, stalking, or "fishing expeditions" for personal information.
"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. Surely when it passed the DMCA, Congress did not envision that the Act's subpoena provision would be used against home Internet users.
"Clearly, we need Congress to act quickly to acknowledge and reinforce the crucial distinction between illegal infringement and authorized fair use. Specifically, Congress should provide a fair use exception to the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA and insist that judicial review be required prior to the grant of a subpoena under 17 USC 512 (h).
"Meanwhile, CEA will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the content community and with the Congress to establish pro-innovation, pro-consumer solutions to digital rights management issues."
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.
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.