Entertainment Industry Mourns The End Of 'Hollywood' Howard Berman Being Their Personal Voice In Congress

from the time-to-get-with-the-times dept

Mon, Dec 10th 2012 3:25pm — Mike Masnick

We noted after the election that Hollywood's absolute favorite elected official -- "Hollywood" Howard Berman -- lost his seat. He was often referred to as "the Representative from Disney" for his unwavering support of passing legislation that helped the big Hollywood studios and record labels over the public interest. For many of us interested in the public benefit, his loss seemed like a good deal -- but, of course, for folks at the big movie studios and record labels, it was a disaster. Just witness this unintentionally hilarious Politico piece by former MPAA exec and current Universal Music 'Executive VP of Public Policy,' Matt Gerson, which read like a love letter to Berman, where he reveals what everyone knew already: that Berman and the MPAA were apparently in constant communication, with Berman regularly being called into MPAA meetings to help.

I first met Howard Berman when I was with the Motion Picture Association of America. I remember Jack Valenti uttering a phrase that I would hear repeatedly over 20 years: “What does Howard think?” When we have an idea for a compromise, someone runs it by Howard. When we develop a strategy, someone is tasked to get Howard’s reaction. When we speak with his congressional colleagues, the usual response from Democrats and Republicans alike is, “Let me grab Howard on the floor and see what he is thinking.”

The article is also a little wacky, in that it both highlights Berman's supposed "attention to detail," as well as his apparently frequent failures to know the names of the people he was talking about.

Either way, you can understand why the legacy entertainment industry companies are sad to be losing such a close "friend," but aren't we all a little better off with Representatives who actually pay attention to what's best for the public, rather than just what's best for a few companies?

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Filed Under: congress, copyright, howard berman, matt gerson, politics
Companies: mpaa, universal music

47 Comments

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Jay (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 2:29pm

Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
Na na na na...

Na na na na...

Hey, hey, yeah...

Goodbye!
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Atkray (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:22pm

I hate to complain...
"We noted after the election that Hollywood's absolute favorite elected official -- "Hollywood" Howard Berman."

Sorry but that doesn't look correct to me.
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wallow-T, 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:38pm

I am reminded of the idea that we should dress Congress members as if they were NASCAR drivers. The Representatives and Senators should wear patches with the corporate logos of their sponsors.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:39pm

I guess they will just need to buy a new elected official now.
But I am not worried about Howard. I am sure he is signing on with Hollywood and Disney as a lobbyist to continue in the finest congressional traditions.
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S. T. Stone, 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:41pm

Too bad, so sad, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out -- you wouldn't want to ruin it for all the Hollywood people who need to attach their lips to it, after all.
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That One Guy (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:45pm

Re: I hate to complain...
Likewise, it almost looks like half a sentence that's been cut off right after the name.
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Watchit (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:49pm

Re: Re: I hate to complain...
Yep yep, it's incomplete :[ confused the hell out of me for a minute there. I assume it was something along the lines of: "We noted after the election that Hollywood's absolute favorite elected official, 'Hollywood' Howard Berman," lost his seat. Or something like that.
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Watchit (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:50pm

Re:
I'm putting all my money on the congressman with the biggest Lucky Charms logo... I love Lucky Charms.
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This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

out_of_the_blue, 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:56pm

It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
Some people are starting to question whether you have one. C'mon, just give us a peek at how you recover a $100M of "sunk (or fixed) costs" on a movie ten cents at a time.

And now a personal note for Modest Mike "Streisand Effect" Masnick:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect
To properly honor Mike, I propose "Masnick Defect" as term for out-of-bounds self-aggrandizement such as years of trying to turn a single quip into fame.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 3:57pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
You really need to report back to the facility now.
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Watchit (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:01pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
Hi Out_of_the_blue! :D

How's your day been?
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:08pm

Re:
Don't blame me, I voted for Huggies. Hollywood needs its undergarments too.
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TK, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:13pm

Brad Sherman
The man who beat Berman in this year's election, Brad Sherman, co-sponsored SOPA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Sherman#Tenure
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gorehound (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:13pm

Good Riddance to him and hope to see the rest of you out of Washington too !
Boycott The MAFIAA !
Buy and Support Local and Indie Art please.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:16pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
I only pass through here on occasion, but I think the magic formula you're looking for is "cwf+rtb".

If that doesn't pump your 'nads, how about the laws of supply and demand? You remember those?

If your studio isn't confident that it can earn $100M from a film, maybe it shouldn't make it.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:19pm

I wonder if Howard the Duck was not inspired by Howard Berman
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:33pm

Re: Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
This post is in violation of the Beatles' Copyright, Lawyers are now attempting to contact the respective hosting providers to get your IP Address.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:34pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
What? Uploading it to The Pirate Bay and systematically suing everyone who downloads into poverty it isn't working for you?
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:36pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
"To properly honor Mike, I propose "Masnick Defect" as term for out-of-bounds self-aggrandizement such as years of trying to turn a single quip into fame."

How many weeks did it take you to come up with that one. Your parents and professors would be proud. How many times did you point to the post and said look what i came up with and posted all by myself!
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AdamR (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 4:41pm

"The article is also a little wacky, in that it both highlights Berman's supposed "attention to detail," as well as his apparently frequent failures to know the names of the people he was talking abut. "

Well it's very difficult to track of people names when you are try to keep track of all the dead president names they keep sending you..
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:09pm

Re: Re: Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
IP holders are attempting to contact their congressional contacts ... oh wait
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:16pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
So in other words you're blaming Masnick for something Hollywood can't figure out on their own?

Did you complain to the teacher about the smart kids in class who refused to let you copy off their homework? And to think, you call PIRATES entitled!
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jupiterkansas (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:16pm

He spins the fact that Berman didn't know Jewel from ZZ-Top as a positive thing. The more ignorant our representatives are, the better.
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MrWilson, 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:22pm

Re: Re: Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
Did the Beatles buy the copyright? They certainly didn't write or perform that song...
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:23pm

Re: Brad Sherman
Don't tell me that gerrymandering is not a problem!
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Mesonoxian Eve (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:25pm

I'm surprised they didn't relate Howard to The Boston Strangler:
"I say to you that Howard Berman is to the MPAA and the American public as the smile of the Boston strangler is to the woman he finds home alone."

More fitting, I believe.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 5:41pm

I read this article thinking Berman had died... It seemed a bit harsh.
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lucidrenegade (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 6:20pm

Damn, I thought he died. Oh well, next best thing I guess.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 7:56pm

I wonder if Berman will run for president four years from now? He'd obviously have Hollywood's support.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 8:13pm

Re: Re: Re: Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
Like not possessing the copy'right' on something has ever stopped IP holders from sending bogus takedowns
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Dec 2012 @ 8:14pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
(or, IP extremists, since they wouldn't be the IP holder of such works).
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 8:31pm

Re: Re:
Huggies, politicians, they're both full of shit.
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Mike Masnick (profile), 10 Dec 2012 @ 10:10pm

Re: I hate to complain...
Oops. Fixed.
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PaulT (profile), 11 Dec 2012 @ 12:44am

Re: Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
He's obviously desperate and completely deluded, but it's worth addressing this:

"If your studio isn't confident that it can earn $100M from a film, maybe it shouldn't make it."

Exactly. Few movies need to have such inflated budgets (which have far outpaced inflation for bigger blockbusters), and many films are highly profitable without any such stupid figure attached. Those that do need to be attractive to audiences that will pay the higher profit theatrical and purchase fee, or reduce the fixed cost so that you can make the costs back more easily with streaming and lower margin distribution. That's what the market should be doing - better products that people are willing to pay a premium for, or more control over initial costs so that they're profitable at cheaper prices to consumers.

Instead we have morons like ootb whining that they need government enforcement to support inflated costs and wasteful spending, and that it's the people pointing out the mistakes that need to come up with the solutions on their behalf. Pathetic.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 2:25am

and it's this constant 'called into meetings to help' attitude that politicians have been only too quick to respond to that has led the world into the copyright fuck up that we have now. had governments and law enforcement agencies concentrated on representing the people they are supposed to instead of taking the payments for favours route, perhaps we would have progressed a damn site further than we have, in more ways than one!!
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FuzzyDuck, 11 Dec 2012 @ 3:37am

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
"how you recover a $100M of "sunk (or fixed) costs" on a movie ten cents at a time."

This a math question right?

How many times do you have to sell something for 10 cents in order to earn 100.000.000 $

Lemme see, 1 billion times?

Do I win anything Blue for being the first to come up with the right answer?
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 3:47am

You had me at "...The End Of 'Hollywood'".
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 3:50am

Re: Re: Re: Because the song is damn appropriate right now.
True, it was Steam...although Bananarama did it better.
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quawonk, 11 Dec 2012 @ 4:48am

Well, they'll just have to purchase someone else.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 5:03am

Re: Re: Brad Sherman
It isn't: it's merely a symptom of the cancer that is killing America.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 5:31am

Re: Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
Yes, you get silence.
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Nick Dynice (profile), 11 Dec 2012 @ 7:46am

Re:
Hopefully he is too old. Let's hope he retires and does not try to get any other jobs.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 8:13am

Re: Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
Not to nitpick, but you can't upload anything to TPB. They host nothing.
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JEDIDIAH, 11 Dec 2012 @ 8:19am

Re: Re: Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
The concept is the same even if the mechanics are different.
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JEDIDIAH, 11 Dec 2012 @ 8:22am

Re: Re: Re: Brad Sherman
Gerrymandering a part of the cancer killing America?

Are you trying to be intentionally ironic there?

That's like saying that intensely uncivilized rhetoric in presidential elections is killing America starting with Adams vs Jefferson.
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RD, 11 Dec 2012 @ 8:44am

OOTB, your raging Mike-hard-on is showing
Might want to have that checked, it seems to be out of control.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2012 @ 1:26pm

Re: It's YOUR fault, Mike! You won't give us the solution!
Troll again for all your worth - which isn't much. You, sir, are a total pest. Why not give your fingers a rest? Nobody's listening.
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