Senator Introduces Bill To Close DMCA Subpoena Powers

from the shutting-the-loopholes dept

Senator Sam Brownback from Kansas has apparently introduced new legislation that would stop the "special subpoena powers" given in the DMCA. This would prevent the RIAA (and others) from being able to push through a subpoena with no judicial review and without having an actual lawsuit filed. The Senator points out that this isn't about protecting people who are file-sharing - but about having a proper judicial process for issuing subpoenas. For example, he says he's worried about porn site operators misusing the power to subpoena. He should be worried. There are already stories of porn site operators misusing the subpoena power to find out who has been visiting their sites.
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