Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA) today lauded the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Business Software Alliance (BSA), and Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP) for their announcement of joint policy principles. 

“It’s a very good sign that the recording industry and elements of the technology sector have come together to release joint policy principles for the 108th Congress,” Berman stated.  “I have long noted that copyright and technology creators have a symbiotic relationship, and have lamented the growing rift between the two communities.  It is only natural that the RIAA, BSA, and CSPP would recognize that their shared interests outweigh any divisions.  I hope the rest of the creative and technological communities get on board with a unifying message, and thus we can ‘tone-down’ the divisive rhetoric that has otherwise predominated many copyright and technology debates.”

 

Berman continued, “From what I have heard, the specifics of the joint policy principles sound positive.  Enforcement and defense of current copyright law are critical to ensuring that American creativity continues at its torrid pace, and that consumers continue to benefit from that creativity.  Finding and facilitating technological solutions to high-tech piracy is also an element critical to advancing these goals.

 

“I look forward to hearing more from RIAA, BSA, and CSPP as they work to translate these principles into a plan of action,” Berman concluded.  “If they conclude legislative action is necessary to advance the interests of copyright and technology creators as well as the American consumer, I will be very interested in helping them take that action.” 

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