Fair Use Groups Want To Put Brakes On Leahy Bill

The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, a bill that would give the Justice Department more power to shut down Web sites that illegally stream or sell TV shows and movies, may have bipartisan backing, but it has divided the studio and fair use lobbies into their traditional camps.

The Consumer Electronics Association, Public Knowledge, and other fair use groups in a years-long tug of war over copyright protections vs. protections for pubic access to content, want to put the brakes on the bill until they can weigh in officially. CEA, Public Knowledge and others fear it could already have enough teeth to take a bite out of their respective constituencies, which include academics and equipment manufacturers. They sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee saying they didn't think there was enough time remaining in the legislative session to vet the numerous "global entanglements and serious questions" it raises. They said there should be a hearing and testimony from affected parties before the bill went any farther. That would push it to the lame duck session after the November elections.