Senate Lets Copyright Lobby Set Up Shop In Senate Building During PROTECT IP Debate
from the how-about-some-bias-with-your-coffee? dept
This is pretty ridiculous. Just as the Senate is debating the PROTECT IP bill, the Copyright Alliance, a lobbying group created and funded by a bunch of the big legacy copyright maximalist companies, apparently got to set up an "educational display" in the Senate Russell Building Rotunda. The Copyright Alliance has no shame about how it's using this "educational display" to influence the vote:The exhibit is an opportunity to showcase for lawmakers and visitors to the U.S. Capitol Complex the importance of copyright to creators across America, by focusing on people behind the lens, sharing stories about the images, and helping viewers understand the investment and commitment made by photographers capturing our nation’s many stories.I'm curious if the Senate allows such other totally biased parties to set up exhibits like that during debate on other bills. How about pharmaceutical lobbyists setting up an "educational" nursing station in the Senate, just to show the "importance" of protecting pharma. And I'm sure the banks would love to set up an "educational" bank vault in the rotunda during Wall Street reform hearings. How could anyone in the Senate see such a biased effort as being okay?
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: copyright, lobbyists, protect ip, senate
Companies: copyright alliance
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Education
Remember when words used to have meanings?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Education
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Education
Fixed for you. In the end money means all and anything else is meaningless.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Education
Yo Dawg, I herd you like Education....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Education
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What will really surprise you...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: What will really surprise you...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: What will really surprise you...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: What will really surprise you...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: What will really surprise you...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: What will really surprise you...
In the same vain, a proposal is a proposal no matter how bad it is at the moment, this is a draft, can you amend that draft to make it better? can you correct the bad grammar and so forth?
If you are not willing to do even the basic stuff to get something you want to see enacted why are you complaining that others are doing it?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
If you know who contributes to members' re-election campaigns, then you have your answer.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Do you mean, say, electors?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Oh, wait, we're not playing Shadowrun...yet.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
There was some nasty black ice when those deckers got hit for taking a run at PayPal... and then Lone Star got leads on them and swept the globe for them.
The only hope we have is if Dunkelzahn gets elected president, he has enough power to keep the megacorps in line.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
LONE STAR!!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
ShadowBalls
or
Space Run
I am so confuseded.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
My hope is that they make the laws so crazy, and the punishment so bad, that everyone is scared to do anything and they whole system grinds to a complete halt. Look whats happened to smart phones, you cant even break wind without getting sued by someone for something, you think any company wants to introduce anything new until that mess gets sorts out? . What happens when the average person gets dragged into the mess, people start getting sued because they bought the wrong product... how long do you think these idiot politicians will continue to ride the PRO-IP bandwagon when the "think of the children" crowd starts getting dragged into court for stupid shit?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
"Copyright Lobby"?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: "Copyright Lobby"?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Instead of crying about it, why don't you actually DO something. Why not have Techdirt host an apologist's exhibit in the Rotunda? Maybe you could even offer a showing of "Sita Sings The Blues". That should really pack them in.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Who do you think pays for their campaigns?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/photographic-exhibition-of-americas-jazz-ambassadors -on-display-in-russell-senate-office-building-rotunda-60773992.html
Not to mention those crooked Christian artists:
http://lovelettersfromheaven.homestead.com/files/the_seattle_times_display_of_christian_ artwork_in_senate_building_draws_fire.htm
...and not to mention an evil, wild bitch of a nurse:
http://www.wolterskluwer.com/Press/Latest-News/2011/Pages/pr24jan2011.aspx
Mike, you are such a weenie for these sorts of things.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/photographic-exhibition-of-americas-jazz-ambassadors -on-display-in-russell-senate-office-building-rotunda-60773992.html
Not to mention those crooked Christian artists:
http://lovelettersfromheaven.homestead.com/files/the_seattle_times_display_of_christian_ artwork_in_senate_building_draws_fire.htm
...and not to mention an evil, wild bitch of a nurse:
http://www.wolterskluwer.com/Press/Latest-News/2011/Pages/pr24jan2011.aspx
None of those -- as far as I can tell -- appear to be lobbyists actively lobbying for a specific bill.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
As for "interested parties", consider:
http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1630
or
http://www.allbusiness. com/medicine-health/diseases-disorders-immune-system-aids-hiv/10192862-1.html
or
http://saveou rwildsalmon.blogspot.com/2011/06/photo-exhibit-in-dc-june-13-to-17-one.html
or
http://www.chri stianpost.com/news/odd-bedfellows-team-up-for-endangered-wildlife-38729/
I could go on. Safe to say there are plenty of "interesting group" and "lobbying group" activity linked to displays in the rotunda.
Sorry, but for this one, you fail.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
Funny, that.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Because PROTECT IP is about killing immigrants using switches belonging to key neutralities, or something like that.
It's sure not about "the rights of artists" because everyone knows ASCAP thinks they're bad for them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
That is all I want to say for now.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I know that doing this would involve leaving the house and all, but some things are worth it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
Proposal:
28. Corporations are not Persons
28.1. Groups, corporations, PAC’s, unions, political parties, religions, ethnic communities, etc., are not individuals for the purpose of freedom of speech and do not hold first amendment rights, or any rights as individuals. Single persons are individuals. Like minded people are allowed to agree with each other, disagree with others, and vote how they like. Groups may exist or form and may take positions on issues, but have no right to advocate outside of their own forum by paying for any kind of communication, such as paid advertising in any form that is propagated by a group.
28.2. Elected officials may meet with individuals in groups (no private meetings except with staff), not organized groups, though they may meet with disorganized groups i.e. open sessions, both in their hearing rooms and in their home districts (they represent their people, not others). Closed sessions are not allowed for any purpose where other than legislative officials exist, except in the very narrow interest of national security, for an extremely limited number of items.
28.3. Lobbying, by an organized group or causing an individual to lobby for a group, of elected officials, their staff, or non elected officials (bureaucrats) by any group is a felony and all officials, officers, and directors said groups are to be held liable. Individuals may lobby, but may not give gifts or restaurant meals or anything other of significant economic value or any kind of influence. Groups may express their sentiments, but references by an individual to a group constitutes hearsay, and is not allowed.
29. Elections
29.1. Eliminate the electoral college and then fully fund election advertising by requiring broadcasters, newspapers, magazines, etc. to put aside bandwidth or other space or accommodation to allow any and all candidates to communicate with their electorate with equal time and space allotted to every candidate.(see 29.9) Paid political advertising of any kind is not allowed. The government shall run appropriate web services (on secure (two factor authentication), encrypted, audit able Elections Information Server(s) (with multiple redundancy and 3rd party plus off site backup with no expiration date for either audit or historical purposes) with one domain for all election information), organized by election year, making space available to all candidates (Fed, State, County, Municipal) including, but not limited to forums, email, newsgroups, wiki’s, podcasts of all media, video, audio, print media, commentary, allotted advertisements, town halls, interviews, debates. No personalized user information shared short of an adversarial probable cause hearing. Media shall be free to cover the various stages though equal time is in force, and since they may not accept any paid political advertising, may freely endorse. Candidates may use other free communication options such as social media or newer technologies. All broadcast options must be opt-in. Yard-signs, bumper stickers, buttons etc. may be personally made by individuals using download-able graphics.
29.2. Data shall be divided between open public domain, and private. Private is anything that might disclose any personal information, location (other than voting district), or any other way to identify an individual and must be absolutely person identifiable. Public facing information and data analysis shall be open source and public domain. Data analysis shall include an algorithm for ranking overall sentiment toward issues, agendas, and/or candidates, and forecast results for accumulated agendas (all 535 congressional agendas melded together and an overall agenda projected). This would represent what they would see on day one of the new session. I would expect them to negotiate from there, though they have responsibilities. Along side should be a total compiled issue list, ranked, for each legislative body or office, and then contrast legislative vs executive platforms. This shall be finalized on October 31 at midnight, along with advertising and candidate speech. All algorithms supporting this process shall be open source and public domain, and should be widely and independently tested.
29.3. The election process shall follow a prescribed format where issue/agendas (new initiatives, the way to be now about current items/prioritized list of issues which are combined to create the platform) for each election are proposed by the electorate online beginning in October of the year preceding the election, and qualified with an issue/agenda primary for each election, taking place online in January of the election year, taking the top 25 rated issue/agendas for each district, for each election, to become the election platform for those elections. How to deal with trolls, duplicate identities posting anonymously, other important controls, fraud and such is an issue to be studied.
29.4. In February, any citizen otherwise qualified may declare their candidacy online and post their positions and credentials, in relation to the established platform. Candidates may form small voluntary support organizations, but may not cause nor fund, nor allow to be funded, any marketing effort outside of official channels established by 29.1 which are free, subject to disqualification and prosecution.
29.5. March and April will be used for online forum style discussion and debate streamed live and retained for immediate and continued download, so that candidates may develop their positions, and a sense of leaders may develop through the ranking system.
29.6. In May leading candidates (say top 25) will be interviewed by a cross section of journalists (mainstream and significant bloggers (determined in part by market, especially in local elections)), equal time applies.
29.7. In April, open houses and town hall type events, and organized formal debates (candidates directly address each other over each issue/agenda item in the platform for that district) are held on all of the nominated issue/agendas in each election platform by district, organized by the government of each election district.
29.8. In June, candidate primaries are held, online, narrowing the field for the final stages, say top 10.
29.9. July, August, September, and October will be used for final debates and use of the free advertising channels by primary winners. Each outlet shall use 25% of all available advertising resources in the various peak opportunities on any given day during this period only. Note the limited burden placed upon Media. Note the opportunities for Media. Consider it their business tax.
29.10. In November, candidates will be silent, except for existing resources stored on the Elections Information Server(s).
29.11. The vote shall take place on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of November by some easily verifiable, but not identifiable, open source and public domain (source code freely available and widely and independently tested) system that allows for both online or personal visit to a local election center, at the voters wish.
29.12. Special Elections shall follow the same pattern starting at 29.9, beginning with the remaining candidates and the current platform.
29.13. Platforms, the top issues prioritized, for each electoral district remain the same through the election cycle, example: 2 years for Representatives in the House, and 6 years for Senators. The position of the Elected official shall follow the positions from which they were elected with regards to the legislative agenda.
29.14. Elected officials are held to their positions as candidates, unless changed by their electorate. The process for changing the official platform for a district shall follow section 29.3, with the addition of 1 month of formal debate, and a week for a formal referendum of the electorate (a semi-special election). Elected officials are subject to recall for failure to follow their electorates instructions (system to be devised but thinking about failure to vote according to issue/agenda/platform twice should be considered). So, the electorate needs 5 months to react to the environment and change the direction of their official.
(Damn, I tried to keep it short, but issues kept cropping up)!
I actually have a number of other reforms in mind. However, they have little hope under the current corrupt system. The intent of the above is to change how money and inappropriate influence adversely impact the system. A lot could follow naturally. Obviously details need to be worked out. This is a draft of a concept. Timing may be off . A control missed. Possibility of reorganization needed. Language too obtuse. Lowest common denominator reading test vetted. Opportunities missed. Final language needed.
Offers of solutions along with criticisms greatly appreciated, and eminently more effective.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
I have a;ready submitting your comments to 3 different places.
Nothing can bad can come from speaking as your self. But call-outs for bad grammar.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
So sorry, you need to find a new drawing board, that one is constitutionally broken.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
Got anything relevant to add?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
A constitutional amendment cannot violation the 1st Amendment. It becomes part of the Constitution.
The Constitution cannot violate itself. The amendment as proposed would essentially repeal the 1st Amendment and replace it with something new. For that reason alone I personally would oppose a lot of what he's suggested, but it would not be unconstitutional.
> So sorry, you need to find a new drawing board, that one is
> constitutionally broken.
So sorry, you need to go back to grade school Civics 101, because your understanding of our constitutional form of government is broken.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
"Corporations as persons" has been through the supreme court a couple of times,with the corporations losing, but not stopping the abuse of the situation.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
Problems with First to Post
Alternative voting explained
Gerrymandering Explained
Of course, there is more coming out, but it's great to look at what some of the problems with our electing officials in the US are.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
I watched all three videos and found them very informative. However, all three of them assume political parties, while the method described above does not allow them.
How might the assumptions in the videos differ if the assumption of political parties is removed?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
I'll have to look more closely at that and get back to you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
> individual to a group constitutes hearsay, and is not allowed.
The word 'hearsay' doesn't mean what you apparently think it does.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: A Plan to Remove Money from Politics
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Hearsay
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What's wrong with that?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: What's wrong with that?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
politicians only read up to buying votes, they don't read anything farther.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Protect IP Act
[ link to this | view in chronology ]