Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) is demanding that U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk confirm leaks surrounding the unfinished Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, being negotiated largely between the European Union and United States.
[From Senator Demands IP Treaty Details | Threat Level | Wired.com]
As one of his constituents I applaud Senator Wyden’s efforts shed some light on the ACTA. The EFF has a nice overview of what the ACTA is and why you should care about it here.
Today marks the first International Day Against DRM. So-called Digital Rights Management does nothing more than impose third-party restrictions on the use of technology while at the same time limiting our fair use rights.
I feel this Heinlein quote quite fitting:
There has grown up in the minds of certain groups in this country the notion that because a man or corporation has made a profit out of the public for a number of years, the government and courts are charged with the duty of guaranteeing such profit in the future, even in the face of changing circumstances and contrary to public interest. This strange doctrine is not supported by statute nor common law.
drm.info has a great site that explains what DRM is, why you should care, and what you can do about it. The EFF’s The Corruptibles does a nice job of explaining the issues behind the Broadcast Flag, Audio Flag, and Analog Hole legislation.
Vote with your wallet, educate your friends, and remind your representatives to not sell out our rights and consumer interests.
My Senator is sponsoring a bill to require all digital consumer products have labeling disclosing any anti-piracy technology that is contained within the device. Personally I’m for this idea since it will make it easier for consumers to make informed choices.
It is nice to have a legislator with some progressive pro-consumer ideas for a change. It is a welcome departure from the absurd legislated morality my former Senator from Wisconsin used to sponsor.