Questions Remain On Intellectual Property Bill

File Under: News, Copyright

Mar 6, 2008

Washington, D.C. – The intellectual property legislation approved by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property today could have been worse and could have been better, according to the Computer & Communications Industry Association. CCIA is pleased that the Subcommittee removed from H.R. 4279 some of the more troubling elements, like one that would have unnecessarily increased statutory damages.

“The subcommittee wisely avoided a big mistake,” said CCIA President & CEO Ed Black, referring to the deletion of the statutory damages provision. “I hope that decision is not reversed at a later stage.”

CCIA remains disappointed that the bill has an enforcement-only focus and neglects other substantial problems currently afflicting the intellectual property system.