National Journal's Andrew Noyes reports that the House Judiciary Committee has agreed with the Bush Administration that it might not be a good idea to train all FBI agents in "IP-related" crime.
The House Judiciary Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee approved a bill by voice vote today that would "improve" enforcement of Intellectual Property laws. We don't know who voted yes or no on what amendments.
One thing that was stripped, however, was was Howard Berman (D-CA)'s provision that would have allowed multiple damages to be awarded for copyright infringement, as in a 10 track album would be 10 seperate fines.
On the other hand, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) worries about the potential financial liabilities on small businesses. According to Noyes, Lofgren worried that it would have "stifled innovation by exposing U.S. businesses to uncertain and potentially crushing liability." Lofgren would tie any such provision to a relaxation of the 1998 Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
Still on the table is Berman's brainchild: the creation of an "Intellectual Property Crime" division within the Department of Justice. If you thought the RIAA's tactics in civil litigation are draconian, imagine what USDOJ will do to music downloaders. Thankfully, Federal agencies are remarkably resistant to taking on new responsibilities. Noyes reports that Berman has said that talks with the DOJ have not gone "as quickly or as productively as I would have hoped."
This bill is another of Berman's ham-handed attempts to make it the policy of the U.S. Government to prop up the business model of the Hollywood movie industry. He wants a new agency, possibly as high as cabinet-level, to oversee copyright and trademark law enforcement.
Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) is not expected to touch this hot potato of a bill until after Easter.
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