[IP] Lessig's legal response to the DMCA

[Dave Farber <dave@farber.net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: John Kristoff <jtk@depaul.edu>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 07:21:10 -0500
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Lessig's legal response to the DMCA

Dave,

I attended Larry Lessig's talk "Is Intellectual Property
Copyrightable?" at Northwestern University yesterday.  It was
very stimulating, both for its content and its presentation.
His talk was synchronized with a multimedia presentation
behind him, which highlight key points and included some
"creative" uses of other works, including a lovely duet by
President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony
Blair.  I hope that his talk will make it onto the net for
others to view, but I don't have any current pointers.

During the question and answer period, two points arose that
I found interesting and worth sharing with IP.  First, it is
clear the loss of the DMCA challenge earlier this year still
haunts Professor Lessig.  He indicated that not a day goes
that he doesn't relive the argument.  Second, he indicated
that he is helping to form a legal response to the DMCA in
the form of legislation that help "free" a great deal of
intellectual property that will not be actively renewed.  In
essence, legislation is due to be introduced in approximatley
two weeks, which would require copyright holders to pay $1
to continue copyright protection rather than have property
automatically be protected without any kind of "registration".

Professor Lessig did not indicate who specifically will be
introducing this legislation, but he did use the pronound
"she" so I imagine some close observors may be able to narrow
it down to a particular congress person.

Professor Lessig also indicated that he expects this legislation
to be challenged.  He is hopeful that a historically weak
movement to counter the DMCA will emerge when its shown how
disingenuous his challengers can be.

John


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