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Watch My Face, Not My Hands

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Alberto Gonzalez’ proposed copyright legislation has drawn quite a bit of ink from commentators. Most of it is of the “can you believe this guy?” variety, based on some very broad expansions in the criminal provisions and some seemingly not very well thought oddball provisions. One such oddball provision is a notification requirement that would have Homeland Security telling the RIAA when pirated CDs are imported (or attempted to be imported). No other organization or copyright holder is to be notified. And why is Homeland Security involved in copyright issues in the first place?

Anyway, since this proposal originates from the executive branch, it must have a congressional sponsor before it can actually be introduced for consideration by Congress. As of this date, there is no sponsor. I’m very surprised that this was trotted out publicly without having all the players lined up.

It looks as if this was drafted hastily, and released publicly in haste. Perhaps for the purpose of distracting from the other debate Gonzalez is the subject of?


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