| Contacts: | Jeff Joseph tel: 703 907-7664 e-mail: jjoseph@CE.org |
Jenny Pareti tel: 703 907 7079 e-mail: jpareti@CE.org |
CEA Praises Oregon for Putting Freeze on MPAA-Backed Model Communications Security Bill
More and More States Recognizing Harmful Impact of "Theft Of Service" Legislation
| Arlington, Virginia | 5/28/2003 |
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today praised Oregon Senator Charles Starr (R-Hillsboro) for withdrawing his sponsorship and support of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)-backed bill, S.B. 655. Deceptively promoted by the MPAA as legislation solely designed to prevent communications piracy, the overly broad bill would have extended the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to criminalize lawful products and consumer conduct.
"State Senator Charles Starr is to be commended for standing up for Oregon consumers," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "What was sold to him and Oregon lawmakers by the MPAA as a mere communications piracy law actually was a ridiculously broad and ambiguous bill that threatened Oregonians' lawful use of consumer electronics products in their own homes. Senator Starr realized the truth about the MPAA bill and withdrew his support. Now, instead of being rushed through the legislature, S.B. 655 will be considered in the full light of day by an after-session study commission."
Oregon is the latest state to put a halt to MPAA-backed "theft of service" legislation, which also is being considered in other states, including Texas and Florida. In response to objections from CEA, retailers and consumer advocacy groups, Colorado Governor Owens vetoed a similar bill last week and Tennessee followed suit the next day by putting an indefinite hold on the MPAA bill.
"There is a growing pattern here," Shapiro continued. "Lawmakers across the country are quickly discovering that these MPAA-backed bills are not really about preventing cable or Internet service theft. Instead, they are about enabling unprecedented control over lawful consumer conduct by the threat massive civil and criminal penalties.
"CEA stands firmly against piracy and theft of service. However, the MPAA approach would criminalize legitimate activities, such as attaching a VCR or TiVo-like device to a home network without the express permission of the service provider. These bills are harmful to consumers, harmful to technology, and harmful to the public interest. That is why they are being rejected across the country as soon as lawmakers discover the truth about their impact.
"CEA continues to urge state legislators around the nation to follow the lead of Colorado, Tennessee and now Oregon in rejecting this ill-considered legislation."
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.