INDUCE Act / IICA

28 June 2004 @ early morning | Comments (1)

Hold on to your iPods!

Legislators are beginning to understand that a crisis exists where law and technology collide and are beginning to pass legislation with sweeping reforms, lacking any understanding of the massive potential future consequences.

“The INDUCE Act is way out of line, and it could pass easily unless you act now. This law is the major labels’ dream; it would reverse the Sony vs. Universal ‘Betamax’ decision, making businesses liable for products that customers could use to make unauthorized copies. The bill is explicitly aimed at filesharing networks, but according to the EFF the language is broad enough to permit lawsuits against the makers of VCRs, CD-R drives, Tivo’s and yes, even the iPod.”

– Downhill Battle : Save the iPod, stop the INDUCE Act

Because of the incestuous nature of our current administration and its strong ties to the FCC (Michael Powell) it has become very easy for the RIAA to get what it wants. There are few in Washington who are truly fluent in the current state of technology, but many who are willing to appear as though they are acting in the public’s best interest.

“Senator Orrin Hatch’s new Inducing Infringement of Copyright Act (S.2560, Induce Act) would make it a crime to aid, abet, or induce copyright infringement. He want us all to think that the Induce Act is no big deal and that it only targets ‘the bad guys’ while leaving ‘the good guys’ alone. He says that it doesn’t change the law; it just clarifies it…He’s wrong.”

– EFF : The Induce Act: Innovation Under Attack

Don’t allow yourself to be lulled to sleep by the relentless Stream of Terror pumped by our nation’s media outlets. There are imperative issues currently at stake, which are purposefully bypassed by the media on a daily basis. Take action today!

[update -› 08 July 2004]

The INDUCE Act has since been renamed IICA. Additionally, it has been placed on the backburner because of hearing requests and the success of such campaigns as Save the iPod.

[update -› 29 July 2004]

INDUCE Act hearings available as torrent [via]

[update -› 08 September 2004]

Save Betamax: A Nationwide Call-in Day to Stop the INDUCE Act. Why you ask? Downhill Battle’s got the scoop.

[update -› 08 October 2004]

INDUCE dead until year’s end!