Just when the Cartel though it was home-run time
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080314-congressman-may-inject-much-needed-fair-use-into-pro-ip-act.htmlIs the "gluttonous" PRO-IP Act about to get sprinkled with magical Fair Use pixie dust? It's possible, as Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) is considering a plan to meld his FAIR USE Act to the PRO-IP Act in the form of an amendment. Like any bit of magic, however, there's some sleight of hand going on here, and the result might be less than meets the eye.
The PRO-IP Act currently wending its way through Congress is an attempt to ratchet up copyright protections, in part by boosting statutory damages that copyright holders can collect. Google's top copyright lawyer (and the man who wrote a seven-volume treatise on the subject of copyright law), William Patry, called the bill the most "outrageously gluttonous IP bill ever introduced in the US
Lets hope this guy does more than
think about looking after the consumers traditional rights, merely thinking about things is often a metaphor for "publicity stunt", urgent action is required in this case.
