Book People Archive

[ebook-community] Sen. Hollings plans to introduce DMCA sequel: The SSSCA (fwd)


Forwarded several times, but well worth reading.

Not that anyone can stop them. . . .

Remember what I've been saying about everything becoming "per per whatever"


Michael

---------- Forwarded message ----------

To: politech@[redacted]
Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2001 21:22:25 -0400
X-URL: Politech is at http://www.politechbot.com/

Text of SSSCA draft bill:
http://www.politechbot.com/docs/hollings.090701.html

Politech archive on DMCA:
http://www.politechbot.com/cgi-bin/politech.cgi?name=dmca

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http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,46655,00.html

    New Copyright Bill Heading to DC
    By Declan McCullagh (declan@[redacted]
    4:19 p.m. Sep. 7, 2001 PDT

WASHINGTON -- Music and record industry lobbyists are quietly readying
an all-out assault on Congress this fall in hopes of dramatically
rewriting copyright laws.

With the help of Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.), the powerful chairman of
the Senate Commerce committee, they hope to embed copy-protection
controls in nearly all consumer electronic devices and PCs. All types
of digital content, including music, video and e-books, are covered.

The Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA),
scheduled to be introduced by Hollings, backs up this requirement
with teeth: It would be a civil offense to create or sell any kind of
computer equipment that "does not include and utilize certified
security technologies" approved by the federal government.

It also creates new federal felonies, punishable by five years in
prison and fines of up to $500,000. Anyone who distributes
copyrighted material with "security measures" disabled or has a
network-attached computer that disables copy protection is covered.

Hollings' draft bill, which Wired News obtained on Friday, represents
the next round of the ongoing legal tussle between content holders
and their opponents, including librarians, programmers and open-
source advocates.