I always look at new legislation from the perspective of the individual artist and small business developer, who still produce the vast majority of copyrighted works in this country. I think we all have reason to celebrate today.

I also think you hit the nail right on the head on this one. Surely, each copyright sector would like to have seen other provisions, which directly impact their development and operations, remain in this new PRO IP bill. However, by and large, this bill makes a huge “bipartisan” statement that all copyright companies and individuals will benefit from. After eight difficult years, I truly believe that the copyright pendulum has now swung our way.

The “innocent error” in registration provision is, indeed , a huge one. The reason that not many people mention it is because they must think that something as obvious as this provision would be a “no-brainer” to any fair-minded judge or jury. No so. As one who has directly suffered the consequences from an adverse ruling in court based on some of our earlier copyright registrations, I can attest to the fact that clarification here was very much needed, and is very much appreciated.

Large infrigers will no longer be able to steamroll over individuals or small developers on this critical registration issue. Statutory damage claims are crucial in the vast majority of copyright cases pertaining to Internet display and/or distribution. They also help legitimte copyright owners re-coup their attorneys’ fees. I sure hope that ALL copyright owners have now learned the importance of registering their copyrights.

Lastly, clarifaction of the law and additional resources added to the criminal side of this re-energized anti-piracy enforcement mission are both critical. As Senator Leahey mentioned last week, speaking specifically of the bailout activities up on Wall Street, dollar remedies and penalties, alone, do not deter or restrict the unlawful behavior of white collar criminals in our society, such as many willful copyright infringers are these days. The criminal copyright code calls for jail time in qualified cases, as well.

If we want other countries to respect our property, and our business ethics and morals, we better make sure we run a clean house internally here in the States. This new PRO IP bill will help. Criminal copyright laws need to be used aggressively to augment our ongoing educational efforts and our civil enforcement activities. Today’s anti-piracy stool needs all three of these legs to stand.

Thanks for all the extra efforts of you and your first class staff at the Copyright Alliance for helping to educate those in Congress and on the White House staff, regarding the importance of more stringent copyright laws and enforcement on all fronts.

I agree. It’s a great day for copyright owners!

George

George Riddick
Chairman/CEO
Imageline, Inc.