ISP Copyright Filter Debate Continues: Verizon Stays Away, While Rep. Bono Is All For Filtering
Date : 30 Jan 2008 Category : Business
Techdirt
With the entertainment industry actively pushing for ISPs to filter unauthorized content, it seems that the discussion is getting wider and wider attention. Rep. Mary Bono (now Mary Bono Mack), who is rather infamous for the last copyright extension efforts, and who believes that fair use is theft, has now stated that it should be the ISP's responsibility to filter out unauthorized content. Thankfully, she hasn't reached the point of making it mandatory, but it's not surprising to hear her say that she supports the concept of ISP filtering. Not to be left out, Cary Sherman of the RIAA chimed in to note that he doesn't think we need new legislation, but that ISPs should voluntarily start filtering content.
While AT&T agrees (for reasons that still don't make any sense), it's nice to see Verizon feels otherwise. Verizon's Tom Tauke says that the company is not interested in becoming copyright police, noting the inevitable privacy questions this would raise: "We don't want to get into the business of inspecting the bits and figuring out what is and is not appropriate traffic." As much as we tend to disagree with Verizon's position on many policy issues, the company has at least a decent (though, certainly not wonderful) record in protecting privacy. Remember, it was Verizon who initially stood up to the RIAA on trying to get information on customers without filing lawsuits.
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While AT&T agrees (for reasons that still don't make any sense), it's nice to see Verizon feels otherwise. Verizon's Tom Tauke says that the company is not interested in becoming copyright police, noting the inevitable privacy questions this would raise: "We don't want to get into the business of inspecting the bits and figuring out what is and is not appropriate traffic." As much as we tend to disagree with Verizon's position on many policy issues, the company has at least a decent (though, certainly not wonderful) record in protecting privacy. Remember, it was Verizon who initially stood up to the RIAA on trying to get information on customers without filing lawsuits.
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