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Opening Statement of Senator Ted Stevens:

I’D LIKE TO THANK THE CHAIR, MY GOOD FRIEND FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE, FOR HOLDING THIS HEARING TODAY.

THE PIRACY OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY HARMS THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY. AND, IT OF COURSE HARMS THE CONSUMERS DOWNSTREAM AS WELL.

IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS OUR LIVES IN MANY POSITIVE WAYS – MAKING OUR LIVES EASIER, MORE ENJOYABLE AND SAFER. BUT, ONE OF THE PITFALLS OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY IS THAT IT CAN SOMETIMES MAKE THE CRIMINAL’S JOB EASIER. IN THIS INSTANCE, IT IS USED FOR THE PIRACY OF CONTENT – WHETHER IT IS MOVIES, SONGS OR SOFTWARE.

IT’S GOOD TO LEARN THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE MORE RESOURCES TO COMBAT COPYRIGHTING AND OTHER PIRACY CRIMES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THOSE ON THE INDUSTRY PANEL – TO NOT ONLY LEARN ABOUT THE EFFECTS THAT PIRACY HAS ON THEIR BUSINESS BUT ALSO TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING INTERNALLY TO COMBAT THIS PROBLEM.

SENATOR GREGG HAS PUT TOGETHER AN INTERESTING GROUP OF WITNESSES TODAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THEIR TESTIMONY.