Digital Freedom Campaign Launched
On October 25, a broad group of consumers, artists,
innovators, and technology companies announced the launch of the
Digital Freedom Campaign and website (www.digitalfreedom.org).
Digital technology enables anyone and
everyone to be an artist and an innovator - to produce music, to create
cutting edge films and videos, to reach new audiences. But now
the same technology is under fierce attach by the big recording labels
and studios who think that enjoying lawfully obtained music, video, and
other content in the privacy of your own home somehow makes you guilty
of piracy.
By visiting the campaign website, you will learn more about the:
Digital Freedom Bill of Sights and Sounds; Petition to Congress; and
Latest news updates.
Among the partners who have joined the campaign: CEA, Public
Knowledge, Media Access Project, the Independent Feature Project
(IFP), National Video Resources, and the Computer &
Communications
Industry Association (CCIA)
Additional Links: Join the Digital Freedom Campaign
Contact: Michael Petricone or Veronica O'Connell
CEA Spearheads Joint Action on DTA Energy Issue Before NTIA and EPA
On October 25, CEA along with the
Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition (CERC), Maximum Service
Television (MSTV), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), and
the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed joint letters to
NTIA and EPA/Energy Star on energy issues associated with
digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Before NTIA, the group called for minimum energy use
requirements for
converter box eligibility, including two-watts for standby power and
auto power down. Before EPA, the group urged an Energy Star
specification for eight watts active power, two watts standby power,
and auto power down.
Additional Links: Letter to NTIA 102506; Letter to EPA/Energy Star 102506
Contact: Doug Johnson
Right to Repair Legislation Receives Committee Approval in NJ Assembly
On October 19, A-931, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act
passed the Consumer Affairs Committee of the New Jersey Assembly by a
5-0 vote. The next step in the process will be a second
reading on the Assembly floor. CEA will continue its support for the
legislation and urge swift passage through the New Jersey Assembly.
FCC Releases R&O and FNPRM on "White Spaces"
On October 18, the FCC released
a First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making on
the "white spaces" issues. The order is a first step towards
allowing low-powered devices in the broadcast spectrum that will made
available following the February 2009 transition from analog to digital
television.
Additional Links: FCC Order 101806
Contact: Julie Kearney
Federal Trade
Commission to Hold Hearings on Emerging Technologies and Consumer Issues
The FTC has
planned three days of public hearings from November 6-8 to discuss how
evolving technology will shape and change the habits, opportunities and
challenges of consumers and businesses in the coming decade. More than
two dozen speakers are schedule, including Vint Cerf (Vice
President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google), Gigi Sohn (President
and Co-Founder, Public Knowledge), and Joe Bates (Director of Research,
CEA).
The hearings will be held in The George Washington University Lisner
Auditorium, 730 21st Street, NW, Washington,DC and will be free and
open to the public. Members of the public can also participate in the
hearings through a live webcast at www.ftc.gov/techade.
UPDATED
Agenda for FTC Public Hearings, November 6-8, 2006
Contact: Julie
Kearney
CEA Opposes 27.5% Tariffs on Imported Goods from China
CEA Opposes Schumer/Graham
legislation that would have placed 27.5% tariffs on all goods imported from China.
Though Senators Schumer and Graham ultimately opted not to seek a vote on S.
295, opposition from industry made clear that such an approach was harmful to
the U.S. economy, to the U.S. consumer and was WTO illegal. CEA
will continue to monitor developments in the next congressional session that may
impact US-China trade relations.
Additional Links: Press Release 092206
Contact: Sage Chandler
CEA Releases its Second International Insider Series: "Moving Products from Port to Shelf"
In
tandem with a tour of the APL terminal at the Port of Oakland
and a panel on trade facilitation and security during the CEA Fall Industry
Forum, CEA released a white paper designed to give readers basic information
and advice on customs and trade facilitation, and the balance with national
security needs.
Additional Links: White Paper - "Moving Products from Port to Shelf"
Contact: Sage Chandler
CEA members visit the Oakland Port Terminal (October 17, 2006)
CEA Joins Letter to WTO Information Technology Committee
CEA joins EICTA, JEITA, and ITI as
a signatory to a letter to the WTO Information Technology Committee asking that
consultations address “national interpretation” of product coverage under the
ITA – which threatens to undermine the current commitments of the agreement.
Additional Links: Joint Letter 102606
Contact: Sage Chandler
CEA Attends the World Electronics Forum
The final communiqué references international trade and action on
energy efficiency matters.
Additional Links: Final Communiqué - 12th World Electronics Forum
Contact: Sage Chandler
CEA Welcomes Sage Chandler
CEA is pleased to welcome Sage Chandler, CEA's new Senior Director for
International Trade. Sage joins the organization after 10 years in
international trade with US government, most recently working for the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), which is the White House's
trade policy negotiation division.
CEA members are encouraged to alert Sage of their
organizations' trade issues and priorities by joining the next Trade
& Logistics Working Group (TLWG) Conference Call, which will be
held on November 15 at 4:30pm EDT. Please e-mail schandler@ce.org for call-in information.
Contact: Sage Chandler
New York City E-Waste Ordinance Hearing
Earlier today, the New York City Council
Committee on Sanitation & Solid Waste Management held a public hearing on
Intro 104, a proposed e-waste ordinance that is extremely
anti-manufacturer/anti-brand owner. Intro 104 would make manufacturers of covered
electronic equipment (televisions, CPUs, keyboards, and monitors) individually
responsible for the collection, handling and recycling or reuse of all covered
electronic equipment that is produced by that manufacturer and generated
as electronic waste in the city.
In addition, each manufacturer would be
responsible for a pro rata share of orphan waste generated as electronic waste
in the city. Manufacturers who fail to comply with this requirement will
be prohibited from selling their products in the city. The actual text of Intro
104 can be found at: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200104-2006.htm?CFID=678819&CFTOKEN=18999701.
Contact: Parker Brugge
CEA Calls for a Redoubling of Efforts to Develop a National Solution for Electronics Recycling
On October 18,
CEA called for a redoubling of efforts to develop a national solution
for electronics recycling, citing the results of a study released by
the National Electronics Recycling Information Clearinghouse (NERIC) at
the E-Scrap 2006 conference in Austin, Texas. The study concluded
that a patchwork of state laws could result in $224 million in
wasted resources during the next 8 years.
To view a copy of the full report, click here.
Additional Links: Press Release 10/18/2006 Press Release 09/29/2006
Contact: Parker Brugge
Environmental and Regulatory Monitoring
As a benefit
to members, CEA offers an environmental and regulatory
tracking
service, which allows the user to search current state bills,
produce targeted reports by state and issue, as well as cumulative
reports by state and issue.
Additional Links: Environmental
and Regulatory Monitoring Website (Member-Exclusive)
Contact: Parker Brugge
GAC Meeting at CES
CEA's Government Affairs Council (GAC) will
meet at CES on Sunday, January 7, 2007 from 12:00pm - 1:30pm in the
LVCC South Hall S112/S113. Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP to David Grossman (jgrossman@ce.org)
CEAPAC Update
Q. How does a Political Action Committee (PAC) benefit
CEA’s members?
A. CEAPAC is the only political action committee devoted
solely to representing the interests of the consumer electronics
industry. CEAPAC ensures that CEA remains the primary voice on issues
critical to our industry. During the upcoming 110th session of Congress, we are
faced with a wide range of legislation that could critically impact our
businesses.
In many ways, the
rights our industry has long taken for granted, such as the right to
design and sell new products without government designed mandates, are being
challenged. Through CEAPAC, we can safeguard these rights, as well as
strengthen our relationships on Capitol Hill. CEAPAC is an essential
component of CEA’s mission to maintain a strong and visible presence in Washington.
To learn more about the importance of CEAPAC, contact
Stacie Aman.
Contact: Stacie Aman
CEA Member?
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CEA
Government Affairs Staff
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