Big Content Tries to Outflank Waning PROTECT IP Bill

The lobbyists for Big Content don’t ever seem to let up, they’re beginning to lose ground on the Internet Blacklist Bill (PROTECT IP) but already they’re preparing their next move.  This week a “Ten Strikes Bill”, which would make streaming or embedding copyrighted content a felony offense, is set for a vote by the Senate.

This bill has been proposed by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) just as she is set to speak at the Netroots Nation conference, in honor of her past support for Net Neutrality.  Lets hope the conference-goers call out the Senator for her hypocritical positions on Internet freedom.

Help us let them know they can’t get away with this, email your legislator to show your opposition to this bill.

A Techdirt writer observed that this Ten Strikes bill is so inappropriately written that it would criminalize a night out singing karaoke because it specifies “public performance” as an infringement.

Groups like the MPAA and RIAA are scrambling to push legislation through Congress to protect their outdated business models, by attacking new technologies like streaming and embedding.  We’ve already pointed out one possibility for abuse: the prosecution of users embedding YouTube videos.  Others have mentioned that kids lip-syncing to their favorite songs and posting the results could be sent to jail.

You saw right, 10 strikes.  That’s 10 “public performances” of any copyrighted content is a felony.  10 embeds, 10 streams, or 10 listens = 10 public performances.  Variety reported recently that “industry lobbyist pressed House members…to pass legislation that would make illegal streaming of movies, TV shows and other types of content a felony.”  Two weeks later and the MPAA and RIAA are getting their wish.  This is just another in the sad series of bills that have been led by Senate Democrats on behalf of Big Content.

Don’t let this bill fly under the radar, click here to email your Congressperson and demonstrate your opposition!