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Silicon Valley Congresswoman introduces bill to respect consumer rights and expectations
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) today introduced legislation designed to protect consumer’s ability to enjoy digital copyrighted material. Lofgren’s bill, the “Digital Choice and Freedom Act of 2002,” gives lawful consumers the ability to make personal uses of digital entertainment such as music, movies, and books.
"There is growing consensus that advanced peer-to-peer applications are the next ¥killer app' that will drive growth in the sagging computer hardware, software and equipment industries, as businesses and consumers demand faster and more powerful PCs. Peer-to-peer applications also have the potential to finally give consumers a reason to embrace broadband.
“The Berman-Coble bill (H.R. 5211) is a misguided bill, and I will vote against it. It is my understanding that the bill is aimed at illegal file swapping on peer-to-peer networks, but the legislation does not specify what ¥self help’ measures Hollywood could unleash. More Importantly, it doesn’t take into account consumer rights and expectations about fair uses of digital entertainment products. The law should not treat every Internet user as a pirate. We need to develop ways to stem piracy while respecting user rights and expectations.”
“It has been suggested that stock options as a form of compensation be eliminated. We disagree. Such a notion overlooks the role that stock options can play in the creation of start-up businesses.
Democrats held firm and passed the Sarbanes bill to crack down on corporate misconduct. Democrats are leading the tidal wave of support to prevent firms from 'relocating' to offshore tax havens. But the call to eliminate stock options could do more harm than good in a weak economy and an even weaker technology sector.
"Although there are benefits to creating a Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 5005), I could not vote for H.R. 5005 because of the dangers it presents to our civil liberties. The Posse Comitatus Act, which dates back more than a century, bans military involvement in civil law enforcement. This law reflects a long-standing American tradition that bridles against military participation in civilian affairs.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) yesterday joined Representative Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) and other members of the Bay Area Congressional Delegation to introduce legislation that will foster the survival of wetlands fisheries and waterfowl populations and improve water quality through restoration of the San Francisco Bay Estuary.
Statements of Zoe Lofgren on H.J. Res. 101, to Deny Trade Benefits for Vietnam, and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus - Briefing on Freedom of Expression in Vietnam & the Vietnamese Government’s Response
“HR 5005, which establishes the Department of Homeland Security is important legislation for many reasons. This is the most significant transformation of the U.S. government in over a half-century. Multiple committees, including both of the committees I serve on, this committee and Judiciary, are considering HR 5005. Unfortunately, we are doing this simultaneously. I wish we had more time to work this bill but I understand the tight schedule we are operating on.
Statement of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren on the passage of H.R. 3130
“HR 3130, the Tech Talent Bill addresses the decline in our technical workforce and aims to improve undergraduate math and science education in our nation. This bill establishes a competitive grant program administered by the National Science Foundation for undergraduate institutions that pledge to increase the number of US citizens or permanent residents seeking to obtain degrees in the science, math, engineering and technology fields.
The following is Congresswoman Lofgren’s testimony on H.R. 4094, a bill to extend veteran’s benefits to Filipino soldiers who fought on the side of the United States during World War II.
