Statement of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren in response to the agreement announced today between the Reco

San Jose, CA-- Below is a statement by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren in response to the agreement announced today between the Recording Industry Association of America, the Business Software Alliance and the Computer Systems Policy Project on principles to address digital content issues:

"I applaud those party to this agreement for their pledge to work toward a solution, tone down the rhetoric and work against technology mandates.

In their statement, the recording industry seems to have recognized that shortsighted technological mandates called for by the Hollings bill are now dead. However, it also appears that the parties to the agreement did not involve consumer or fair use advocates. Without providing for the legal rights of consumers any such agreement falls short and omits an essential concerned group--the consumers themselves."

Last year, Congresswoman Lofgren introduced the “Digital Choice and Freedom Act of 2002,” a bill to give lawful consumers the ability to make personal uses of digital entertainment such as music, movies, and books. In addition, the bill recognizes that digital piracy will never be truly solved until consumers are given an affordable, reliable, legitimate and secure alternative. Congresswoman Lofgren vows to reintroduce this bill soon. 

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