CEA Applauds Texas for Rejecting Anti-Consumer Super-DMCA Legislation

[Gregg Lengling]

Arlington, Virginia 6/5/2003

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Vice President of Technology Policy Michael Petricone issued the following statement regarding the Texas Legislature's adjournment without acting on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) -backed Super DMCA bill, SB 1116:
"Hollywood has been stymied in its attempt to do a Texas two-step on the backs of consumers. What was presented to Texas legislators as a communications security bill was recognized for what it was - a misguided and overreaching attempt to prevent consumers from attaching legitimate products to their home networks by the threat of huge criminal and civil penalties. The Texas Legislature is to be commended for rejecting such an anti-consumer, anti-technology proposal.

"In every state where similar legislation has seen the sunlight of open discussion and debate it has been decisively rejected. We are gratified that Texas has joined Colorado, Tennessee and Oregon in choosing not to implement this ill-considered anti-technology bill.

"At the same time, this battle is far from over. This bill is pending in other states, and is on the governor's desk in Florida. In addition MPAA recently declared that it will continue its push to enact this punitive legislation across the country.

"MPAA's latest threat is a call to action for every lawful consumer in the nation. We urge all Americans to contact your state and national lawmakers and insist that connecting a lawful product to a broadband network without Hollywood's permission should not become a criminal act."