Kudos for Kansas Senator Brownback! Call your U.S. Senator today!
I'm calling Brownback's office to thank him and will call my other
senator asking his to do the same. (The Senator Roberts office in
Topeka is 785-295-2745.) Below is information I received via email...
DIGITAL RIGHTS BILL
This week Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced the Consumers, Schools,
and Libraries Digital Rights Management (DRM) Awareness Act of 2003.
The legislation aims safeguard the rights of users in the digital age.
The bill would requires conspicuous labeling of CDs, DVDs, and software
that limits consumer uses with "digital rights management" (DRM)
restrictions, preserve the right to donate digital media products to
libraries and schools, and protect the public's customary and fair use
rights with respect to digital media. The bill would also prevent
copyright holders from compelling an Internet service provider (ISP) to
disclose the names or other identifying information of its subscribers
prior to the filing of a civil lawsuit. This has been at the core of
the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) recent legal
assault on file-sharers.
Brownback's bill is a positive step for librarians, who have for years
opposed the increasing restriction on user rights in the digital age.
The bill is yet another sign that legislators are hearing librarians'
concerns. Brownback joins Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep. Zoe Lofgren
(D-CA), and Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA) in introducing
legislation to protect user rights.
To read ALA copyright specialist Carrie Russell's article in Library
Journal's July issue, visit www.libraryjournal.com
Regards from an Activist Librarian in Kansas!
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Andrew Evans, Documents/ Legal Reference
Washburn University Law Library
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka KS 66621
(785) 231-1088 ext. 1787
andrew.evans@washburn.edu
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