Consumer associations of the United States and organizations that unite electronics manufacturers have formed a lobbying group, the purpose of which will be to oppose large media companies that promote too strict copyright laws, according to
TechWeb .
The efforts of the participants of The Digital Freedom campaign are aimed at supporting bills that will be aimed at developing new digital technologies. The organizers believe that in the pursuit of profit, large media corporations are trying to strengthen the regulation of the online sphere, hiding behind slogans about the protection of their rights to certain materials.
“The attack on which new technologies are exposed by large record companies and studios is aimed at our basic rights to use digital technology without undue regulation by the government or the threat of lawsuits,” said Garry Shapiro, president of the
Consumer Electronics Association .
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The lobbying group plans to fight against laws and bills designed to impose new restrictions on digital technologies, force them to pay huge “royalties”, etc. Representative of the group Don Goldberg says that its members are aware of the need to repeal many laws in the field of copyright adopted or promoted by “business sharks”: they have a decent answer. ”
Among the topics exciting members of the group, Goldberg mentions new recording devices. As an example, he cites legal actions by the Recording Industry Association of America against
XM Satellite Radio in May 2006, which resulted in users being banned from using new devices (such as Pioneer Inno or Samsung Helix) to record music.
At the moment, the group does not have its own office, staff or even hired lobbyists. However, Goldberg promises speedy activity. He also hopes that more organizations will take part in the campaign.
“Our main goal is to position ourselves correctly in the new composition of the Congress,” says Goldberg. “We are not going to focus on“ financing ”the congressmen we need. We need to be better, smarter. "
Ed Black, president of the
Computer and Communications Industry Association , says the campaign may not have enough resources to fulfill all its goals. However, he notes, such statements will attract voters, who usually like organizations that promise to give more freedom to use the music and movies that ordinary Americans buy.
“Politics has clearly come to the fore,” says Black. “The number of people who are interested in our point of view is growing. It is very important".