In the pocket of the MPAA and RIAA?

[flowomo]

from: http://boingboing.net/

BoingBoing reader Kevin says the new chair of the subcommittee on Internet and IP is in the pocket of the MPAA and RIAA. Snip from Kevin's blog post: In the wake of the Democratic win... Democratic representatives will take over as chairmen of the House Committees. Of the committees most relevant to copyright in the digital age is the Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee.... The ranking Democrat (and soon to be chairman) is the Honorable Howard Berman of California.
Mr. Berman, according to the National Journal, can be expected to support restrictive copyright and intellectual property laws. Representing the Los Angeles / Hollywood area, Berman will "protect his nearby Hollywood interests by cracking down on piracy and protecting against copyright infringement of TV, music and movie productions." In the past, he has supported legislation allowing copyright owners to "file blocking, redirections, spoofs and decoys" to fight piracy.

Reader comment: Mike Masnick from Techdirt says: Just wanted to add that it's not yet clear that the head of the IP subcommittee will be Howard Berman. Some expect him to pass on that role to focus on different opportunities, in which case it will go to Rick Boucher, who is well known as being very much in favor of consumer rights and reforming the DMCA.

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[madrchsod]

1. shit i forgot about that

another boingboing reader? read it everyday

[flowomo]

3. so many good blogs, so little time....

I just was reminded to stop in because it's near the top of the blog list on the Huffington Post. I hope the pro-consumer rep gets this post, not the pro-industry guy.

[kiahzero]

2. There's always a downside. (n/t)

[flowomo]

4. still time to do a little lobbying if this issue matters to you.

If we can influence an election, we can influence a chairmanship, eh?