Public Knowledge Proposes New Copyright Reform Act

Saying that, "We need a bolder vision that starts to break down the barriers to free culture - that starts to break the vise grip the few and powerful have on ownership," Public Knowledge President and Co-Founder Gigi B. Sohn announced a new five-part Copyright Reform Act. Sohn said the discussion draft for the model legislation proposes five changes that "are to intended update copyright law for the digital age and in doing so tip the balance back in favor of the constitutional mandate that copyright protection 'promote the progress of science and the useful arts.'"

The general topics for copyright change are to:
1) strengthen fair use, including reforming outrageously high statutory damages, which deter innovation and creativity;

2) reform the DMCA to permit circumvention of digital locks for lawful purposes;

3) update the limitations and exceptions to copyright protection to better conform with how digital technologies work;

4) provide recourse for people and companies who are recklessly accused of copyright infringement and who are recklessly sent improper DMCA take-down notices; and

5) streamline arcane music licensing laws to encourage new and better business models for selling music.