Washington — Today the Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force released a long-awaited white paper on several areas of copyright reform: remixes, first sale, and statutory damages.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has long advocated for balanced copyright, and filed comments as part of the process of this paper being written and released. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“This is a step toward copyright common sense. For too long jackpot judgments have discouraged technology investment and innovation.
“CCIA applauds the careful consideration of statutory damages in this paper, and the recognition that reforms are necessary. While these recommendations could go further, they represent a positive step toward mitigating the chilling effect on investment and innovation that disproportionate damages can have.
“CCIA also commends Commerce for recognizing the importance of a flexible fair use doctrine to the Internet and users, and the thriving remix culture fair use has enabled.”
For additional background information, please also see CCIA Vice President Matt Schruers’ blog post today in response to the Commerce Department’s white paper.