Senators Smack Down WIPO Broadcast Treaty

Tighthead writes "Two influential US senators want the US to support a pared-down version of the WIPO Broadcast Treaty that is still being negotiated. In a letter sent to the US delegation, Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the ranking Republican member, Arlen Specter, expressed their concerns that the Broadcast Treaty 'would needlessly create a new layer of rights that would disrupt United States copyright law.' They instructed the US delegates to work towards a treaty that is 'significantly narrower in scope, one that would provide no more protection than that necessary to protect the signals of broadcasters.' The next meeting of the WIPO Standing Committee will be in June."

I can't commit to this yet

[elrous0]

If this is an internet issue, we should all wait until Senator Ted Stevens weighs in before deciding what to do next.

-Eric

Re:I cant believe this....

[vivaoporto]

."Frankly, I would prefer that more limits were imposed on the rights of copyright owners and broadcasters, not more."

Me too! Although more limits on the rights of copyright owners is something unavoidable, the right measure would be to put more limits. The tough choice, after all, must be made by the Senate: more limits or more limits. I for one root for the latter, not for the latter.