Valenti to Step Down; Tauzin May Head MPAA 110
The Importance of writes "The New York Post is reporting that Jack Valenti is stepping down as head of the MPAA, probably by the end of the year. Rep. Billy Tauzin (R - LA) will be taking over. After 37 years as head of the MPAA, at least Valenti is going out on a high note, with most of Hollywood ticked off at him for the screener ban. bIPlog comments on Valenti's apparent agelessness." The Post article quotes Tauzin's office as denying that such an offer has even been made, but acknowledging that one might be in the works.
Tauzin is a friend of the industry (Score:5, Informative)
BTW, is it just me or does every story submitted by "The Importance of" wind up on the front page
On the new guy... (Score:4, Informative)
Looks promising!:
"The defining difference between Billy Tauzin and [former chairman] Tom Bliley is a preference for change vs. a preference for the status quo," says Jeffrey Eisenach
Re:No surprise, Tauzin has taken this much money . (Score:4, Informative)
1 Health Professionals $89,500
2 Electric Utilities $59,283
3 Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $39,000
4 Oil & Gas $22,530
5 Retail Sales $19,500
6 Telecom Services & Equipment $13,500
7 Securities & Investment $11,500
8 TV/Movies/Music $10,500
His funding bias has shifted from TV//Movies/Music in 2000 far in favour to utilities/health/pharma (in 2002 also)... which is interesting.
Re:No surprise, Tauzin has taken this much money . (Score:5, Informative)
Tauzin proposed a bill requiring all TV broadcasters to switch to 100% digital signals [slashdot.org] with copy protection, just over a year ago.
In July 2002, Billy and his friend Fritz Disney Hollings urged the FCC commissioner to "mandate the implementation of the Broadcast Flag [slashdot.org] under FCC rules" - which according to a story here just days ago is pretty much a done deal [slashdot.org].
The financial support (on the books) may have quit in 2000, but he's still been busy trying to get digital TV, broadcast flags, and copy protection forced down consumers'^W our throats. Looks like the MPAA is finally rewarding him for his efforts...
Re:Billy Tauzin, Web Pioneer! (Score:2, Informative)