posted on May 5, 2004 10:57:48 AM new
beware of those new computers and tv's you will be buying......1984 here we are.............
WHAT IS THE CBDTPA?
The CBDTPA is a bill (S. 2048) proposed in Congress by Senators Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), John Breaux (D-LA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The acronym stands for "Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act". Note that the CBDTPA was originally known as the "SSSCA" while in draft form.
WHAT WOULD THIS LAW DO?
The law would force all new personal computers and digital home entertainment devices sold in the United States to have government-approved "policeware" built-in.
This policeware would restrict your use of copyrighted material on these devices -- including music files and CD's, video clips, DVD's, e-books, and more.
WHO COULD GO TO JAIL?
You, if you're one of the millions of Americans who uses your computers to burn music CD's, listen to MP3's, share video files, etc. You'd face up to five years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.
Think you'd be able to get around the law by removing the policeware from your personal computer? Think again -- anyone who defies the government by disabling or tampering with the policeware on their own computer, in the privacy of their own home or business, would also face five years in the slammer.
Since alternative operating systems like Linux and FreeBSD would most likely refuse to incorporate government policeware into their code, users of these open-source systems would also be eligible for hard time.
HOW CAN WE FIGHT THIS?
If we have any hope of keeping government policeware off of our personal computers and home entertainment devices, we must act quickly and decisively.
For starters, you can sign our petition opposing the CBDTPA, contact your representative in Washington, tell a friend about this site, and put a banner on your own web site.
Also, if you're a constituent, feel free to contact the CBDTBA's sponsors in the Senate to let them know how you feel. Please be polite and well-reasoned.
- Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) - (202) 224-6121
- Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) - (202) 224-3004
- Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) - (202) 224-3934
- Senator John Breaux (D-LA) - (202) 224-4623
- Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) - (202) 224-5274
- Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) - (202) 224-3841
- Capitol switchboard -- call YOUR Senator! - (202) 224-3121
Finally, the Senate Judiciary Committee has set up a page where you can share your thoughts: Click Here to Visit. PLEASE NOTE that it's more effective to contact your Senator directly -- if you post a comment to the above page, please be sure to make a printout and mail / fax it to your Senator
