Chris Dodd 'Stepping Down' From MPAA

from the good-riddance dept

Mon, May 1st 2017 3:05pm — Mike Masnick

It appears that Chris Dodd's reign atop the MPAA is coming to an end. As you may recall, he took the job in 2011 to become the head of the MPAA -- directly contrasting a statement he'd made just months earlier that he'd never become a lobbyist. Dodd's first move was to preside over the MPAA's first legislative Titanic. After years of easily passing every copyright law it wanted, Dodd helped turn a slam dunk, easy-to-pass SOPA/PIPA into a huge disaster that has consistently scared Congress away from making any substantial copyright law changes. And, yes, it was Dodd's failed leadership that was a big part of the problem.

Other "highlights" from the Chris Dodd era include near complete silence after the Sony hack, a leaked plan on how the MPAA would help pay for lawyers to do the legwork for elected officials to attack Google, and even leading the movie studios to begin to question why they send many millions of dollars to the MPAA each year for very little return.

With that as backdrop, it's been announced that Dodd is stepping down from the MPAA and will be replaced by Charles Rivkin, who has worked in both government and in the entertainment industry. Dodd's contract ran through 2018, and news reports say he'll "transition" out of his role between now and September of this year. Hopefully Rivkin will be more forward-looking, and will recognize that (1) the public and (2) the internet are not enemies of the movie industry. That would go a long way towards improving the MPAA's approach to things, but we'll see.

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Filed Under: charles rivkin, chris dodd, copyright, lobbying
Companies: mpaa

44 Comments

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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 1 May 2017 @ 3:14pm

Its the MPAA, so I'm going to safely stay in the mindset that expecting change is like expecting Kim Jong-un was going to turn DPRK into a democracy after Kim Jong-il passed.

It would be nice to see them accept that change has happened & work to get at least to the 1990's in their thinking... but they are paid to say the sky is falling & only they can save us.
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TechnoMage (profile), 1 May 2017 @ 3:18pm

Good riddance. He became one of the most annoying talking pieces on TV whenever he showed up. He was annoying as a congressperson but turned it to 11 when shilling for Anti-Consumer group's policies.
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UniKyrn (profile), 1 May 2017 @ 3:25pm

MPAA: "How great is your loyalty?"

Dodd: "Without measure!"

MPAA: "We are happy to hear that. Fall on your sword ..."
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Ed (profile), 1 May 2017 @ 3:28pm

I hear there's a job opening at the Copyright Office...
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- Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 9:02am
  
  Re:
  Well, he has to wait for the legislation to go through Congress and the Senate so that Trump can just appoint him instead of having to apply to the LoC for the position....
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 4:36pm

"Hopefully Rivkin will be more forward-looking, and will recognize that (1) the public and (2) the internet are not enemies of the movie industry."

One of the very few people still selling the ridiculous notion that the MPAA and the public/internet are "enemies" is you, Mike. (I remember when I was 12 too!)

I'd offer to discuss this in depth and on the merits, but we both know that you're a chicken. BAWK! No one runs faster from a debate than you.

Keep sellin' that snake oil, Mike. Surely dozens (dozens!) of people are still buying it. How you can sleep at night, knowing that your entire life is dedicated to nonsense, I'll never understand.

Bawk. Bawk.
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- Mike Masnick (profile), 1 May 2017 @ 4:58pm
  
  Re:
  One of the very few people still selling the ridiculous notion that the MPAA and the public/internet are "enemies" is you, Mike. (I remember when I was 12 too!)
  
  Can you point out where I've ever claimed that? For years I've argued the exact opposite. It's the MPAA that treats the internet and the public as if it's filled with criminals who need to be punished. I've never understood why.
  
  And, in the meantime, what's with this thing where you blatantly misrepresent what I say these days? Seems like an odd thing to do when we have the entire record of what I say right here on Techdirt? I don't understand why you think lying about my position works.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    
    Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 5:42pm
    
    Re: Re:
    "One of the very few people still selling the ridiculous notion that the MPAA and the public/internet are "enemies" is you, Mike. (I remember when I was 12 too!)"
    
    I feel like I need a shower each time you respond to me and I then respond to you.
    
    Where have you claimed that the MPAA and the public/internet are "enemies"?
    
    Hmm. How about this very post.
    
    "Hopefully Rivkin will be more forward-looking, and will recognize that (1) the public and (2) the internet are not enemies of the movie industry. That would go a long way towards improving the MPAA's approach to things, but we'll see."
    
    You explicitly hope that Rivkin, the future MPAA head, will see things differently than the old head, whom you claim saw the "the public" and the "the internet" as "enemies of the movie industry." It is you, and no one else, who claims that the MPAA saw itself as adverse to the public/internet.
    
    Please, commence your weaseling. Anything less would truly amaze me.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 5:54pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Wow, such detailed sources.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Mike Masnick (profile), 1 May 2017 @ 10:01pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Hmm. How about this very post.
      
      Hmm. Reading comprehension is not your strong suit. I never said that they are enemies. I've said that the MPAA wrongly treats them as enemies even though they are not. Got it: the MPAA acts as like they are enemies and my point has always been THAT THEY ARE NOT ENEMIES. So for you to claim that I'm saying they ARE enemies is simply, 100%, flat out... wrong.
      
      That was the point. I thought that was clear. And, rereading it, I'm still pretty sure it's clear to everyone but you.
      
      So, once again, I have to ask: why do you so consistently misrepresent what I say and what I stand for? What's in it for you?
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  - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    
    Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 6:34pm
    
    Re: Re:
    BAWK!
    
    So glad you're not now filtering comments so as to send those including the word "bawk" to the filter--only to be denied the privilege of responding to your posts. No, you're not so scared of dissent that you'd do that. Never. Not Mike! You've NEVER done that.
    
    Bawk, bawk.
    
    You celebrate dissent. You always have, right, Mike?
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    - Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 7:44pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Claimed by the jackass who refuses to log into his user account.
      
      Someone's the chicken, and funnily enough, it's not Masnick. It's the troll hiding behind VPNs and multiple IP addresses. What, did your Keith Lipscomb fund run into trouble?
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - PaulT (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 12:42am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I love it. Not only do you openly lie about what's written in the very article you're responding to, but you throw a fit because your attempts to make farmyard animal sounds are picked up as moronic spam. How much more openly do you think you need to announce that your comments are worthless before they bypass such problems, that throw you into an angry tirade every time you encounter such minor inconveniences?
      
      Here's an idea - why not try not being a childish liar? Those of us who manage that feat don't end up getting quite as wound up as you do, and probably lead much healthier and productive lives.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 9:26am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "So glad you're not now filtering comments"
      
      It's not Mike filtering you but us users; that's what happens to lying asshats like you. Tough shit.
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- Thad, 1 May 2017 @ 5:19pm
  
  Re:
  
  BAWK!
  
  Bawk. Bawk.
  
  (I remember when I was 12 too!)
  
  I believe you.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 6:07pm
    
    Re: Re:
    He's 12... he's trying to figure out what TD is.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - PaulT (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 12:44am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      He was probably 12 when he started trolling here. You'd have thought that he'd have learned some kind of maturity and ability to reason with reality after all these years, but alas...
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 5:35pm
  
  Re:
  It's weird how you focus so much on attacking a blog you think dozens of people read.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
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    Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 5:44pm
    
    Re: Re:
    "It's weird how you focus so much on attacking a blog you think dozens of people read."
    
    I have no doubt that many more read it. It's those whom are buying it that I question.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 5:54pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Yes, most people consistently read a blog they disagree with.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - PaulT (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 12:51am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        It's actually a good idea to do such a thing sometimes, if only to see alternative points of view. Not as obsessively as this guy does, and certainly not with the open lying about the content and attempts to imitate farm animals with every comment. But, I can see value in at least lurking on sites that you think represent an alternative view held by many others.
        
        The sad thing is, he's never actually refuted any of the points he thinks are so wrong. If he were so concerned about people "buying it", you'd think he'd come armed with some reasoning as to why the site is wrong rather than making a mockery of himself every time he posts.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 6:22am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      So Is the only way you can maintain an erection; is to make such outlandish nonsense that even our commander in chief would step back in wonder? Because that's the only possible reason I can think of that you keep coming back to humiliate yourself year-in year-out. Bawk!
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
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  My_Name_Here, 1 May 2017 @ 7:56pm
  
  Re:
  I completely agree with you. Masnick is certainly no friend of copyright, and it both appalls and fails to surprise me that he rejoices the departure of one of the economy's biggest contributors. I am solemnly stroking my erection in protest of this passing. May Shiva strike down this cesspool of a pirate website!
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  - Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 11:58pm
    
    Re: Re:
    ...The fuck is wrong with you copyright people?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - PaulT (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 12:51am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I believe that's a parody post, although it's very sad that you can't tell with these guys.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 6:43am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        No matter how outrageously crazy a parodist tries to sound, they always get out-crazied by copyright-maximalist trolls.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Ninja (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 10:16am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        It's difficult when the original seems an awful lot to be a parody.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Thad, 2 May 2017 @ 2:45pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Yeah, I thought it was legit until the last two sentences.
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Anonymous dirtbag evaluater, 1 May 2017 @ 5:09pm

The dirtbag
Out with the old Dirtbag, in with the New Dirtbag.

I wonder if the new bag will be filled with as much bullshit as the old one... Unfortunately, I know the answer already.
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- Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 8:11am
  
  Re: The dirtbag
  Why already judge the new person? Tom Wheeler surprised everyone and many people already had him labeled when he took the position.
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  - Wendy Cockcroft, 3 May 2017 @ 2:30am
    
    Re: Re: The dirtbag
    Indeed. Give the new guy a chance. He might actually do a decent job. I'm not holding out much hope but we might get a pleasant surprise.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Pixelation, 1 May 2017 @ 6:01pm

"...leading the movie studios to begin to question why they send many millions of dollars to the MPAA each year for very little return. "

Time to increase payments. The fleecing will continue until moral improves.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 6:05pm

Burn in hell.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 6:36pm

If Hollywood would just start making quality content people would want to buy, in fact I...

wait

Hang on a sec

Wtf my torrent download crashed

I have to fix this now

I can't miss this episode

I'll be back later to talk about the evil MPAA
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- PaulT (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 12:52am
  
  Re:
  Was that meant to be representation of what you think people here actually think, or a representation of the idiotic strawman that the MPAA keeps attacking so that they avoid having to deal with the real problems their industry faces?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 7:49am
    
    Re: Re:
    Either way he thinks it's a very clever stab at those filthy pirates. And you just know he spent like three hours coming up with it.
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- Thad, 2 May 2017 @ 11:41am
  
  Re:
  
  Wtf my torrent download crashed
  
  Always nice to remind us that Hollywood apologists don't actually know what a download is.
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 May 2017 @ 9:45pm
  
  Re:
  BitTorrent isn't illegal.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 May 2017 @ 7:47pm

Tomorrow's post: New MPAA chief Charles Rivkin declares the Internet, streaming and file sharing to be his top targets. "We will prosecute those who steal our content", he was quoted as saying. "And we will invest more money into education and litigation so people know piracy is wrong."
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- Wendy Cockcroft, 3 May 2017 @ 2:31am
  
  Re:
  Because it's been working so well so far.
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Paul Keating (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 3:43am

Chris Dodd To Run New Copyright Office
NEWS FLASH ------

The MPAA in conjunction with the White House announced today that Chris Dodd has been nominated as the director of the newly minted Department of Copyright (a/k/a MPAA East)..........

And now for other news.....

Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along.
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Ninja (profile), 2 May 2017 @ 6:56am

"Hopefully Rivkin will be more forward-looking, and will recognize that (1) the public and (2) the internet are not enemies of the movie industry."

That AC beat me but heck you could have asked for leprechauns and unicorns as well! Kim Jong-un turning DPRK into a democracy seems more feasible to me.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 1:28pm

'Rivkin will be more forward-looking, and will recognize that (1) the public and (2) the internet are not enemies of the movie industry'

there isn't a hope in hell of that happening! even if he does feel these things, he will be prevented from doing anything because the studio heads are even worse than Dodd! in fact, i suspect that Dodd was ordered what to do and what to say, just because the studio heads want to carry on as if it were the 60s still! not condoning what he did and i'll always think of him as a total prick but he may have had different ideas but prevented from using them. money can be a hell of a persuader!!
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Anonymous Coward, 2 May 2017 @ 2:11pm

"Those who count on quote 'Hollywood' for support need to understand that this industry is watching very carefully who's going to stand up for them when their job is at stake. Don't ask me to write a check for you when you think your job is at risk and then don't pay any attention to me when my job is at stake."

-- Chris Dodd

www.techdirt.com/articles/20120120/14472117492/mpaa-directly-publicly-threatens-politicians-who- arent-corrupt-enough-to-stay-bought.shtml
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