[DMCA-Activists] Re: Congressional Caucus Against "Piracy"

[Seth Johnson]

Here's the letter.  Declan posted it on POLITECH.

Now we have two misdirected things of note in recent history, now that
Congress is finally starting to realize that they need to address exclusive
rights policy directly:  Tthis, and the creation of CARP Judges at the
Library of Congress.

Seth

Declan McCullagh wrote:
> 
> I wrote a quick article about this (with comments from the MPAA and RIAA)
> that you can find here:
> http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-1007908.html
> 
> -Declan
> 
> ---
> 
> From: Johnson, Eric
> Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 2:55 PM
> To: Democratic AAs; Democratic LDs
> Subject: Join the IP Caucus
> Hi all.
> My boss, Rep Wexler,  is starting a new caucus with Reps Adam Smith and Tom
> Feeney about intellectual property issues.  If you would like to join the
> Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy
> Prevention, contact myself or Ellen McLaren on my staff.  Thanks and have a
> great weekend.
> Eric Johnson
> _____________
> Chief of Staff, Congressman Robert Wexler
> 213 Cannon House Office Building
> Washington, DC 20515
> 202-225-3001
> 202-225-5974 (fax)
> 
> Protect American Innovation and Ideas
> Join the Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy
> Prevention
> 
> Dear Colleague,
> Intellectual property is the creative product of the human mind.  Your
> intellectual property - whether patented invention, copyrighted song or
> trademark - is as much yours as your house or car.  You enjoy the
> intellectual property of other people whenever you turn on your computer,
> listen to the radio, or watch television or a movie.  Innovation in
> technology has allowed us to instantly communicate with friends and
> colleagues around the world with email programs and to dramatically improve
> productivity with easy-to-use computer operating systems.  The innovation
> of artists, musicians and entertainers from George Gershwin and Maria
> Callas to Halle Berry and Garth Brooks has advanced all aspects of our
> culture.  Innovation in agriculture, refinements in crop strains, allow us
> to enjoy more-resilient and better-tasting fruits and vegetables.  And we
> can enjoy those innovations and many more like them because America has a
> long tradition of protecting intellectual property with over 200 years of
> strong copyright and patent law.
> 
> Intellectual property can be difficult to see or touch but it is at the
> heart of American industry and exports and has been the catalyst of
> progress for decades.  However, probably because intellectual property is
> intangible, the issues confronting intellectual property holders are often
> not well understood by the general public.  Due to this lack of
> understanding, the concerns of the thousands of Americans whose livelihoods
> depend on intellectual property protection are not being fully debated or
> addressed.
> 
> We want to invite you to join the Congressional Caucus on Intellectual
> Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention.  The role of the Congressional
> Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention will be to
> educate members and staff about intellectual property rights, particularly
> as these rights relate to ever-changing technologies.  The Caucus will work
> with experts from the Administration, executive branch, intellectual
> property holders, and consumer groups in order to facilitate more informed
> debate and legislative action on intellectual property protection and
> domestic and international piracy issues.  It is our hope that the Caucus
> will create a forum for both domestic and international patent and
> copyright issues.
> 
> If you are interested in joining the Congressional Caucus on Intellectual
> Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention, please contact Ellen McLaren
> (Rep. Wexler) at 5-3001, Brandon Steinmann (Rep. Feeney) at 5-2706, or John
> Mulligan (Rep. A. Smith) at 5-8901.
> 
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