tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2001146793389907383.post7274858972057044203..comments2012-02-09T13:39:34.647-05:00Eric Reasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688830134012824642noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2001146793389907383.post-20269212165407117052012-01-27T18:58:35.648-05:002012-01-27T18:58:35.648-05:00I received this e-mail today from Congressman McCotter:<br /><br />Dear Mr. Reasons:<br /><br /> <br /><br />Thank you for informing me of your opposition to H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act and S. 968, the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act of 2011. Your thoughts on these important matters are most welcome and appreciated.<br /><br /> <br /><br />As a staunch supporter of preserving an open Internet, I agree with you.<br /><br /> <br /><br />As you know, Representative Lamar Smith (TX) introduced H.R. 3261 on October 26, 2011. If enacted, this legislation as introduced would authorize the Attorney General (AG) to seek a court order against any U.S. directed foreign Internet site that is committing or facilitating online piracy to require the owner, operator, or domain name registrant of that site to cease and desist further activities constituting intellectual property offenses under the federal criminal code, including the following: (1) criminal copyright infringement; (2) unauthorized fixation and trafficking of sound recording or videos of live musical performances; (3) the recording of exhibited motion pictures; or (4) trafficking in counterfeit labels, goods, or services. Presently, this legislation awaits further action in the House Committee on the Judiciary. In a related bill in the Senate, Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) introduced S. 968 on May 12, 2011. This legislation would authorize the AG and rights holders to bring actions against online infringers operating an Internet site or domain where the site is dedicated to infringing activities, but with remedies limited to eliminating the financial viability of the site, not blocking access. Presently, this legislation awaits action in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Most importantly, while this overly-broad legislation is an attempt to protect the theft of intellectual property on the Internet, it is imperative we do so without infringing upon an individual&#39;s access to the Internet, and also by easing concerns over online censorship. Thus, I remain resolute in my opposition to H.R. 3261 in the House and S. 968 in the Senate.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Rest assured, your thoughts on these important issues will be well remembered during the 112th Congress. Again, thank you for contacting me, and for all you do for our community and our country. Should you have any further comments or questions on this or any other issue, please contact me at my office in Livonia, Milford, or Washington, D.C.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I work for you.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Thaddeus G. McCotter<br />Member of CongressEric Reasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688830134012824642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2001146793389907383.post-14595005310824700752012-01-18T07:53:03.656-05:002012-01-18T07:53:03.656-05:00As Jeff Sand said...Well written. I hope you don&#39;t mind but I sent your letter to my congressman and senator. Nobody has said it better.Michelle Branchhttp://www.facebook.com/mgbranchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2001146793389907383.post-32840496850660709972011-11-17T17:35:42.317-05:002011-11-17T17:35:42.317-05:00Dangy Taggart couldn&#39;t have put it better. Well written. Thank you!Jeff Sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00803429620413445224noreply@blogger.com