My submission to the comment board (Score 1)

As a citizen, I am very concerned about the ever expanding powers given to copyright holders by our legislature. Copyrights should serve a public purpose, not create a government enforced monopoly on how copyrighted content is distributed and used. I am very dismayed that Congress only appears to be concerned about preserving a lucrative business model for a few special interests, such as the MPAA and the RIAA, while losing sight of the bigger picture.

Because of rapid advances in computer and telecommunication technology, it is necessary to come up with new ways of ensuring that artists and creative people have incentive to produce and disseminate works to the public, while at the same time not placing unreasonable restrictions on how the public uses those works. Relaxing, rather than tightening copyright laws, I believe, is better aligned with the public interest. It would be beneficial for Congress to pass legislation expanding definition of fair use, reducing the amount of time for copyright terms, and a repealing the anti-circumvention measures in the DMCA that prevent citizens from practicing fair use with works that they have legally obtained.

I urge the House and Senate to reject current attempts by special interests to put under lock and key our nations digital future, and reject some of the very disturbing proposals put fourth recently that would seriously endanger our nations vibrant tech sector, which generates more jobs and economic activity than the recording and movie industries combined. The public needs more power to exercise fair use, and benefits from a healthy public domain. Congress' actions over the past several decades has seen to it that both these institutions are in decline. It is time to reverse that trend.