US Authorities Call for Piracy Crackdown (Ashcroft Seeks New Powers)

[Khephra]

LOS ANGELES -- A federal task force has recommended expanded investigative and prosecutorial powers to combat intellectual property theft ranging from counterfeit drugs to swapping songs over the Internet.

Wiretaps should be allowed to investigate intellectual property theft that threatens health and safety and more investigators should be added in key U.S. cities and in piracy hot spots in Asia and Eastern Europe, the report released Tuesday said.

"With the recommendations put forward by the task force, the department is prepared to build the strongest, most aggressive legal assault against intellectual property crime in our nation's history," U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said.

The report also endorsed the rights of companies to compel Internet service providers to turn over the names of people who have traded songs, movies, software or other copyright-protected items over the Internet.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-piracy-crackdown,0,2378226.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Liberal Gramma]

1. Excuse me?

I thought the Patriot Act was to be used exclusively for threats to our security. What's the danger to the country if some teenager downloads a disc? Not that it isn't wrong, of course it is, but it doesn't justify trashing the constitution.

[Massacure]

2. Musicians can get by if they just do live performances.

They did it 100 years ago, and they can do it again. The RIAA is the group that is being so anal about things. It is their fault they are in the boat they are in.

[Eugene]

3. But the courts have already ruled

such subpoena powers in the DMCA unconstitutional.

Ashcroft wants to extend the long arm of the law
around the world to protect corporate IP.
Shouldn't he be concentrating on chasing
international money launderers, gun runners,
drug traffickers, or terrorists?

:kick:

[Steelangel]

4. I believe that will not apply to Ashcroft and his recommendation at all

Jeez, Ashcroft is a powerlust freak.

[RobertDevereaux]

5. The head pirate wants power to fight piracy...?

...shiver me timbers, young Master Hawkins, methinks not!

[Steelangel]

6. I wonder.. does it require to process in Supreme Court/Senator

to pass or Ashcroft can just form a team and lash on people?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. Protecting Microsoft and the RIAA...

These are the foundations of our Democracy. They bought and paid for it a long time ago.

[rube]

8. Our Christian Hero pResident

Chimpy has made the world so safe from TERRA that we must now spend what few law enforcement dollars the feds allocate to protect us on busting kids trading crap on them there Internets? (Got Wood?)
Osama who? But coolmoovies.com--bring 'em on!