| Contacts: | Jeff Joseph tel: 703 907-7664 e-mail: jjoseph@CE.org |
Jenny Pareti tel: 703 907 7079 e-mail: jpareti@CE.org |
H.R. 107 Will Restore Balance To Intellectual Property Laws, Says CEA
Breadth of Personal Technology Freedom Coalition Demonstrates Need For Copyright Reform
| Arlington, Virginia | 6/21/2004 |
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding the bipartisan Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (H.R. 107), introduced by Representatives Rick Boucher (D-VA)and John Doolittle (R-CA), and the Personal Technology Freedom Coalition formed to urge congressional passage of H.R. 107:
"The Consumer Electronics Association is proud to join today with the 30 members of the Personal Technology Freedom Coalition to urge congressional support for and quick passage of the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act. We strongly believe this bill takes the necessary steps to return the historical balance between protecting intellectual property and preserving consumers established fair use rights to U.S. copyright law.
"Throughout U.S. history, copyright laws have defended our right to enjoy books, movies and other media as long as we did not copy them in order to resell them. These laws sought to provide a fundamental balance - protecting intellectual property while allowing reasonable access to and use of copyrighted works.
"But recently, entertainment and media giants have persuaded Congress to restrict our digital personal use rights - and have harmed consumers, educators, scientists and innovators in the process:
* Consumers buy new "copy-protected" compact discs unaware they may not play in their PCs or automobile CD players.
* Families are prohibited from fast-forwarding through the advertisements at the beginning of DVDs that they bought and own.
* Innovators are blocked from bringing legitimate competitive products to the market, even where no exploitation of a copyrighted work is involved.
"The consumer electronics industry strongly supports intellectual property rights, but these rights must be weighed against the rights of consumers to have reasonable access to and use of digital media they have purchased as well as the rights of innovators to develop and market new products. The measures embodied in H.R. 107 strike this critical balance. This is reasonable, common-sense legislation and deserves the support of all who seek a balanced approach to the digital copyright debate."
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 1,500 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 $90 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 Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.