Congress Brings Back Recently Removed 'IP Subcommittee' Now That Copyright Reformer Won't Lead It
from the shameful-in-the-extreme dept
Back in 2006, when the Democrats took back control over the House of Representatives, we noted that who controlled the “IP subcommittee” of the House Judiciary Committee was going to be Howard Berman, who won out over Rick Boucher. This seemed pretty ridiculous to us, since Berman is from Hollywood and has been the Congressman in favor of stronger copyrights at every turn. As was noted at the time, it would be like making a representative from Detroit in charge of regulating automobile safety. No one would think that’s reasonable and yet no one batted an eye when Berman took the job. Two years later, Berman decided to move on to take over the House Foreign Affairs Committee (which is much more prestigious). As we noted at the time, this opened up the spot for Boucher, who was next in line, and has been the leading light in Congress when it comes to copyright reform.
So what happened? Well, rather than let Boucher chair that subcommittee, Congress just got rid of it, saying it wasn’t needed any more and that any intellectual property issues could be handled by the full Judiciary Committee. Of course, it’s worth pointing out that the chair of the Judiciary Committee is John Conyers — who also has a history of being a huge supporter of the entertainment industry (such as the time he claimed that radio is a form of “piracy” and that the lack of a performance tax on radio was like slavery).
Of course, now that the Republicans have retaken control over the House, and after Rick Boucher lost his re-election campaign, suddenly, magically, the Judiciary Committee has decided to bring the IP subcommittee back to life (thanks to Alex Curtis for calling this to our attention).
The timing of all this makes the reasoning pretty clear. The IP subcommittee was around for ages, when it was under the control of those who represented the industry. When a reformer is finally in position to be put in charge, the subcommittee is killed and its duties are handed over to the larger committee (controlled by someone who represents the industry). Then, as soon as the reformer is out, the subcommittee comes back? Congress at it’s most shameful: a pretty clear indication that Congressional decisions on intellectual property are driven by the industry. This is how regulatory capture works.
Filed Under: congress, copyright, copyright reform, ip subcommittee, john conyers, politics, rick boucher
Comments on “Congress Brings Back Recently Removed 'IP Subcommittee' Now That Copyright Reformer Won't Lead It”
House Committee on Un-American Activiites
Well, if we are bring back old committees with the new congress, how about the House Committee on Un-American Activities?
Re: House Committee on Un-American Activiites
Sir, Your sarcasm sounds rather Un-American. I’m going to have to ask you to step away from the computer, keep your hands where we can see them.
Han – “We don’t have time to discuss this in committee.”
Leia – “I am NOT a committee!”
Congress is the best government money can buy, as for regulatory capture, it will be fixed when the currency collapses and the second Wall Street meltdown occurs in 2011-2012.
The United States of Argentina – Yes we will.
Hmm...
So, are the Republicans “the bad guys” for bringing the subcommittee back? It wasn’t a Republican lead HR that gave the job to Berman, was it? And if I am reading the post correctly, it wasn’t a Republican lead HR that got rid of the subcommittee.
Now I’m not a huge supporter of Congress, no matter who is running it; but it seems like there’s a bit of conspiracy theory being pushed here. Not all Republicans are “screw the little guy” and give it all to big business, just like not all Democrats are “I never met a tax I did’t love” socialists. There is a chance, slight though it may be, that the subcommittee will end up being led by someone that does favor real IP reform.
To jump to the conclusion that the subcommittee is only coming back because one outspoken IP reform advocate has gone away is a sizable leap. Do we need to start wearing our tin-foil hats?
Re: Hmm...
So, are the Republicans “the bad guys” for bringing the subcommittee back? It wasn’t a Republican lead HR that gave the job to Berman, was it? And if I am reading the post correctly, it wasn’t a Republican lead HR that got rid of the subcommittee.
Not partisan at all. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m not at all partisan. I think both parties are equally problematic on issues of importance to me, and this shows it.
Now I’m not a huge supporter of Congress, no matter who is running it; but it seems like there’s a bit of conspiracy theory being pushed here. Not all Republicans are “screw the little guy” and give it all to big business, just like not all Democrats are “I never met a tax I did’t love” socialists. There is a chance, slight though it may be, that the subcommittee will end up being led by someone that does favor real IP reform.
Did I say that republicans were “screw the little guy”? Seriously. You’re reading a lot more into this post than is actually in it.
My complaint was not about one party or the other, but to show how both parties avoided the reformer.
And, no, there is no chance that a reformer will take control over the subcommittee.
To jump to the conclusion that the subcommittee is only coming back because one outspoken IP reform advocate has gone away is a sizable leap
There is considerable evidence to support that. I’m sorry if you disagree, but I find it funny that you accuse me of “jumping to conclusions” when you totally jumped to (completely incorrect) conclusions that this post was somehow partisan.
Howard Berman
Berman is my Congressman. I know as a fact tht his district has no movie studios or record companies in its borders. He was always just a shill for the “content” provdrs. As for Conyer, he ants to giv Black money forf slavery. 1: there aren’t any slaves still alive and 2: that’s what rap was for: a massive transfer of wealth from ten-ag white boys thinking they were tough to blacks for rap music.