CEA: Fair Use/Preserving Betamax - Fair Use/Preserving Betamax

Press Releases

8/7/2006
CEA RESPONDS TO RIAA LETTER REGARDING SO-CALLED AUDIO FLAG
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding a letter sent last week from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) concerning the RIAA's refusal to participate in the Copy Protection Technical Working Group (CPTWG) to discuss efforts to prevent the mass, indiscriminate redistribution of copyrighted works over the Internet:

7/24/2006
CEA TELLS COURT THAT COPYRIGHT LAW SHOULD NOT BAR GOOGLE SEARCH FEATURE
In an ongoing effort to defend fair use rights, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) Friday filed an amicus brief defending Google in its current U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals case. The brief argues that the Court should uphold the principal that fair use allows Google to use thumbnail pictures. This is the second friend of the court brief filed by CEA last week questioning the expansion of copyright as the content community seeks to restrict fair use.

7/11/2006
BAN ON FAMILY-FRIENDLY DVDs FAVORS COPYRIGHT OWNERS OVER CONSUMERS
Last week's federal court ruling in the CleanFlicks case proved how copyright law has tilted toward content owners at the expense of the public, according to Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro. A federal court in Denver found that CleanFlicks, a business that bought DVDs of movies and removed obscene and offensive portions and then resold the movies, violated the copyright law and had to cease operations.

6/27/2006
SHAPIRO WARNS HOUSE COMMITTEE THAT AUDIO "FLAG" IS ANTI-TECHNOLOGY AND ANTI-CONSUMER
"The rationale for the video flag is debatable and the audio flag is nonexistent," said Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro in testimony delivered today before a congressional committee. Testifying on behalf of CEA and the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC), Shapiro made his comments before a hearing held by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Telecommunication and the Internet exploring, "The Audio and Video Flags: Can Content Protection and Technological Innovation Coexist?"

6/26/2006
CEA'S SHAPIRO TO TESTIFY BEFORE U.S. HOUSE REGARDING AUDIO AND VIDEO FLAGS
Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®), will testify tomorrow before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Telecommunication and the Internet's hearing, entitled, "The Audio and Video Flags: Can Content Protection and Technological Innovation Coexist?" Shapiro will explain his concerns about the audio and video flags and the vital need to preserve the innovation, integrity and usefulness of the products that CEA members deliver to consumers.

6/21/2006
CEA AND HRRC CAUTION CONGRESS AGAINST GOVERNMENT DESIGN MANDATES THAT COULD CONSTRAIN TECHNOLOGY, COMPETITION AND CONSUMERS
The most recent request by content companies to expand copyright law and dictate how consumer electronics products can be designed and used is a bad solution in search of a problem, said Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro in testimony delivered today before a congressional committee. Testifying on behalf of CEA and the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC), Shapiro made his comments before a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee exploring "The Analog Hole: Can Congress Protect Copyright and Promote Innovation?"

6/20/2006
CEA'S SHAPIRO TO TESTIFY BEFORE SENATE REGARDING ANALOG HOLE
Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®), will testify tomorrow before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, entitled "The Analog Hole: Can Congress Protect Copyright and Promote Innovation?" Shapiro will explain his concerns over the proposed analog hole legislation and other bills that would impose government design mandates on CE products.

6/20/2006
CEA'S SHAPIRO TO TESTIFY BEFORE SENATE REGARDING ANALOG HOLE
Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®), will testify tomorrow before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, entitled "The Analog Hole: Can Congress Protect Copyright and Promote Innovation?" Shapiro will explain his concerns over the proposed analog hole legislation and other bills that would impose government design mandates on CE products.

5/12/2006
CEA URGES CONGRESS TO REJECT THE PERFORM ACT
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) urged Congress to reject H.R. 5361, the PERFORM Act, introduced yesterday by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA). The bill would sharply increase the rates paid to the recording industry by satellite radio listeners, and impose strict government technology mandates on the design of satellite radio receivers. The bill is a companion to Senate legislation authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

4/26/2006
CEA'S SHAPIRO DEFENDS CONSUMER RECORDING RIGHTS DURING CATO INSTITUTE COPYRIGHT DEBATE
The content industry must stop its campaign to thwart technological innovation and restrict consumer rights, stated Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro this morning during a CATO Institute conference titled, Copyright Controversies: Freedom, Property, Content Creation and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Shapiro's comments underscored written testimony submitted with the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) as the committee considers new legislation, which would restrict well-established consumer recording practices.

4/26/2006
HRRC OPPOSES PROPOSED "PERFORM ACT"
Today the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) expressed its strong opposition to the "Perform Act" introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Frist (R-TN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). HRRC Chairman Gary Shapiro said:

3/20/2006
PASSIONATE DEBATES ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, FAIR USE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM MAKE FOR LIVELY DAY TWO AT CEA'S ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY POLICY SUMMIT
Animated and enthusiastic debates over intellectual property protection, fair use rights and new digital content distribution networks highlighted day two of the Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA®) Entertainment Technology Policy Summit. The inaugural event ran March 15-16, 2006, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

7/28/2005
CEA APPLAUDS SENATE COMMITTEE FOR EXPLORING ISSUES RELATED TO MGM v. GROKSTER
The following statement was issued by Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding today's hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on "Issues Related to MGM v. Grokster":

6/14/2005
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS AVAILABLE TO COMMENT ON SUPREME COURT GROKSTER DECISION
WHAT:
Officials of the Consumer Electronics Association will be available to comment on the upcoming Supreme Court ruling in Grokster v MGM. A decision in this case is expected soon. CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro has called Grokster the most important case before the Supreme Court this year. The main question before the Court in this case is whether providing a technology capable of substantial noninfringing uses constitutes copyright infringement. The Court's finding could substantially alter the 1984 Betamax decision which found on principle that a product that can be used to violate copyright is legal so long as it has substantial uses that don't infringe on copyrights.

4/15/2005
HRRC URGES PASSAGE OF BETAMAX CODIFICATION,
Today the Home Recording Rights Coalition announced its endorsement of The Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005 (H.R. 1201). This legislation would codify into U.S. law the vital standard announced in the Supreme Court's landmark 1984 Betamax decision. It would also assure "fair use" protection under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) for consumers, libraries, universities, archivists, and other lawful users of copyrighted works.

3/28/2005
CEA RALLYS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT IN FAVOR OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Staff and allies of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) will gather on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow to hold a rally in favor of technology, innovation and creativity as the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd. Examining the controversial issue of peer-to-peer filesharing, in this case the Court will consider whether providing a technology capable of substantial noninfringing uses constitutes copyright infringement. The Court's finding could substantially alter the 1984 Betamax decision which found on principle that a product that can be used to violate copyright is legal so long as it has substantial uses that don't infringe on copyrights.

3/28/2005
CEA'S SHAPIRO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GROKSTER OUTCOME
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro issued the following statement today in response to the MGM v. Grokster case argued today before the U.S. Supreme Court:

3/18/2005
CEA INDUCTS INAUGURAL CLASS OF DIGITAL PATRIOTS
The Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) inaugural Digital Patriots Dinner, held Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., celebrated 80 years of technology and innovation by honoring four government leaders known for their support of technological advancements.

3/18/2005
INDUSTRY LEADERS AND POLICYMAKERS FOCUS ON PROTECTING CONSUMER RIGHTS AT CEA'S NEW IP AND CREATIVITY CONFERENCE
The need to defend consumer's fair use rights, preserve innovation and redefine the nature of the debate over protecting intellectual property dominated the keynote presentations and panel discussions during the Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) new IP and Creativity Conference: Redefining the Issue, held Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The conference attracted more than 200 representatives from the consumer electronics, technology, content creation, broadcasting, video game and cable industries along with top government officials.

3/16/2005
CEA ANNOUNCES DECLARATION OF INNOVATION INDEPENDENCE
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) issued today a Declaration of Innovation Independence. The document provides a series of principles to ensure that fair use, home recording rights and innovation are protected in legislative, judicial and regulatory debates regarding the protection of intellectual property (IP). CEA unveiled the Declaration during its new conference entitled "IP & Creativity: Redefining the Issue," held today in Washington, D.C.

3/9/2005
Senator Allen, Congressmen Boucher And Issa, FCC's Powell To Receive Inaugural Digital Patriots Award At New CEA Event
The Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) Digital Patriot Dinner pays tribute to 80 years of technology and innovation by honoring the inaugural class of Digital Patriots.

3/1/2005
Technology Industries Unite In Their Views That The BETAMAX Doctrine Must Be Upheld And Not Weakened
The Betamax doctrine is the foundation of this nation's explosive technological growth over the last 20 years and is particularly critical to new digital technology, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) argues in an amicus brief filed today in the U.S. Supreme Court case Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd. Filed by CEA in conjunction with the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC), the brief argues that the principles set forth by the Supreme Court in the Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios Inc. (Betamax) case should be upheld.

2/28/2005
Consumer Electronics Association Reacts To Grokster Supreme Court Case
Consumer electronics industry representatives are available to discuss the impact of the upcoming Supreme Court case Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios, Inc. vs. Grokster, Ltd. on the invention and innovation of new technology. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in conjunction with the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) will file a brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit advocating that copyright protection does not require the adoption of broad rules, such as those advocated by MGM Studios. The Supreme Court's action could help ensure the balance between copyright holders and technology innovation is protected.

2/15/2005
New CEA Conference Examines Tensions Among Intellectual Property Protection, Creativity And Technology Fair Use
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today announced the updated program and panelists for IP and Creativity - Redefining the Issue, a new conference produced by CEA to be held March 16, 2005, at the Washington D.C. Convention Center. The intellectual property (IP) conference is a new CEA event examining the tension between creativity, technology, innovation and intellectual property protection.

2/11/2005
HRRC Concerned Over RIAA Statement Debunking Fair Use
The Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) today expressed concern over the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) assertion this week to the Federal Communications Commission that home recordings made from digital audio (DAB) broadcasts for personal, private non-commercial use are "not protected against a claim of infringement by the fair use defense in Section 107 of the Copyright Act." HRRC chairman Gary Shapiro observed that this RIAA position signals a broader content industry objective: to remove fair use protection from home recording itself, and to require content owner authorization whenever consumer electronics and information technology products encounter copyrighted content.

8/24/2004
CEA Joins Array Of Public Interest Groups, Industry Associations And Companies In Offering Changes To Induce Act
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today joined several public interest groups, industry associations and technology companies in submitting proposed alternative language to the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004 (S.2560) to the bill's leading co-sponsors. The proposed draft was submitted in response to a request to provide alternative language issued to witnesses at a hearing on the bill held last month before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

7/22/2004
INDUCE ACT WILL ELIMINATE BETAMAX PROTECTIONS, CREATE A HUGE NEW CLASS OF LIABILITY FOR INNOVATORS AND OTHERS, SAYS CEA
The Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004 (S.2560) will gut the Supreme Court’s Betamax ruling and unleash massive new litigation on innovators and venture capitalists, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro warned a congressional panel here today. Shapiro made his comments while testifying before a hearing on the bill, introduced last month by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), held by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

6/23/2004
New Senate Bill Will Cripple The Deployment Of New Technologies, Says CEA
As currently drafted, the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004 (S.2560), introduced today, would stifle innovation and jeopardizes critical protections for innovators established in the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1984 Betamax ruling, said the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). CEA is urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing on the bill so that concerns can be heard and addressed.

6/21/2004
H.R. 107 Will Restore Balance To Intellectual Property Laws, Says CEA
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding the bipartisan Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (H.R. 107), introduced by Representatives Rick Boucher (D-VA)and John Doolittle (R-CA), and the Personal Technology Freedom Coalition formed to urge congressional passage of H.R. 107

6/17/2004
CEA Applauds Introduction of Family Movie Act
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding the introduction of the Family Movie Act (H.R. 4586) by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX)

6/16/2004
HRRC to FCC: "Don't Strangle Digital Audio Radio"
The Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) advised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today that it sees "no basis whatsoever for the Commission to impair, impede, or impose any technical or legal restraint on," digital audio broadcasting (DAB).

6/16/2004
"First Do No Harm," CEA Argues in Digital Audio Broadcasting Filing
Proposed regulatory restraints on digital audio broadcasting (DAB) threaten to stifle innovation, chill technological progress, and deny U.S. consumers the non-commercial recording rights upon which they have come to rely, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) argued today in comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The filing came in response to a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) issued by the FCC regarding DAB content control.

5/12/2004
CEA Urges Congress to Restore Balance to Intellectual Property Law by Supporting Bi-Partisan Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act
The bi-partisan Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (H.R. 107) takes the necessary steps to return the historical balance between protecting intellectual property and preserving consumers established fair use rights to U.S. copyright law and thus deserves congressional support, said Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

4/29/2004
CEA to Highlight Problems with Hollywood-Backed State Intellectual Property Bills before State Legislators
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Vice President of Technology Policy Michael Petricone will participate in a panel discussion on copyright issues tomorrow at the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Spring Forum in Washington, D.C. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

4/16/2004
CEA Praises FCC Action On Digital Radio
The following statement was issued by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Vice President, Technology Policy Michael Petricone regarding today's action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to pleas by the recording industry calling for restrictions on home recording of digital radio programs

3/25/2004
Georgia Senate Bill Could Turn Digital Enthusiasts into Digital Pirates
Ordinary Georgia consumers who are digital media and technology enthusiasts could become criminals under a bill currently under consideration in the Georgia House of Representatives, warn the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Coalition of Electronics Retailers Coalition (CERC).

2/13/2004
HRRC Urges FCC Not to Slam the Door on HDTV Early Adopters
The Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) today submitted response filings in two Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proceedings related to the digital television (DTV) transition, which call for a permanent ban on downresolution and the preservation of consumers' customary home recording and fair use rights in the digital age.

1/15/2004
HRRC Marks 20th Anniversary of Supreme Court "Betamax" Opinion
This coming Saturday will mark the 20-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's "Betamax" decision, in which the Court decided by a 5-4 vote that it is legal to sell video recording devices to consumers. The Court held that product is legal to sell if it has significant non-infringing uses.

12/19/2003
RIAA v. Verizon Decision Brings Early Holiday Gift for Consumer Rights and Technological Innovation, Says CEA
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding the U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in RIAA v. Verizon:

11/25/2003
HRRC Notes Concerns About "Art Act"
The Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) today expressed concern that S. 1932 (the "ART Act"), introduced by Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Feinstein (D-CA), is unnecessarily broad in its language and indeterminate in its potential consequences.

11/5/2003
CEA Responds to FCC Broadcast Flag Ruling
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding yesterday's action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting rules - commonly known as the broadcast flag - designed to prevent the mass redistribution of digital broadcast television programming over the Internet.

6/5/2003
CEA Applauds Texas for Rejecting Anti-Consumer Super-DMCA Legislation
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).....issued the following statement

5/28/2003
CEA Praises Oregon for Putting Freeze on MPAA-Backed Model Communications Security Bill
More and More States Recognizing Harmful Impact of "Theft Of Service" Legislation

5/23/2003
CEA Applauds States Rejecting So-Called 'Theft Of Service' Bills
Tennessee Joins Ranks with Colorado Governor in Standing Up for Consumers and Technology

5/22/2003
CEA Commends Colorado Governor's Veto Of Anti-Consumer State DMCA Bill
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro

5/6/2003
CEA Testifies Against Texas "Theft of Service" Bill
Urges Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-Consumer Legislation

4/30/2003
CEA Releases 'Theft of Service' Bill Fact Sheet
Highlights Dangers To Honest Consumers, Retailers and Manufacturers

4/29/2003
CEA Remains Opposed to Overly Broad, Ambiguous "Theft of Service" Bills
Calls on States to Reject MPAA's So-Called Communications Security Legislation

4/28/2003
CEA Applauds Morpheus/Grokster Decision for Upholding Betamax Principles
The following statement was issued today by CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro regarding Friday's District Court ruling:

4/25/2003
RIAA V. Verizon Decision marks Dark Day for Consumer Rights and Technological Innovation, says CEA
The following statement was issued today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

4/7/2003
CEA Comments on Discussions with MPAA Regarding State Digital Piracy Laws
Discussions are a "Positive Step Forward"

4/2/2003
CEA Expresses Strong Opposition to Unreasonable State Piracy Laws
Recent Efforts to Broaden State Laws Are Anti-Consumer; Bills Are "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing"

3/24/2003
CEA Joins 25 Organizations In Calling for Congressional Support of The Digital Media Consumers Rights Act
Companies, Trade Associations and Consumer Groups Cosign Letter To Congress

2/4/2003
RIAA v. Verizon Underscores Need for Balanced Copyright Legislation
Lawsuit Highlights "Holes" In the DMCA

1/15/2003
Consumer Electronics Association Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Copyright Extension
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro: