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Lofgren Expresses Concern About Senate Copyright Bill

November 17, 2010
Today, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) released the following statement about S. 3804, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, which is scheduled for markup tomorrow in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
November 17, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) released the following statement about S. 3804, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, which is scheduled for markup tomorrow in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
While well intentioned, S. 3804 may have significant unintended consequences. I’m particularly concerned that it could set a precedent for further control and censorship of the Internet by foreign governments, and risk the fragmentation of the global domain name system (DNS). Many prominent human rights activists and Internet engineers have voiced these concerns, and they deserve serious consideration. For this reason, I am disappointed that the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to markup this legislation without a hearing.
Artists and innovators deserve to be paid for their work, and I have no sympathy for those who operate websites that are truly devoted to copyright infringement. However, we can promote emerging digital business models for creative work and deter bad actors without running the risk of breaking the global Internet. I look forward to working to achieve these goals, if and when the House Judiciary Committee considers S. 3804 or similar legislation.


Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her eighth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She is the Chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. She also serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.
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