President Signs Law Creating Copyright Czar

President Signs Law Creating Copyright Czar 555

Posted by kdawson on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:07PM from the ip-con dept.

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "President Bush has signed the EIPRA (AKA the PRO-IP Act) and created a cabinet-level post of 'Copyright Czar,' on par with the current 'Drug Czar,' in spite of prior misgivings about the bill. They did at least get rid of provisions that would have had the DOJ take over the RIAA's unpopular litigation campaign. Still, the final legislation (PDF) creates new classes of felony criminal copyright infringement, adds civil forfeiture provisions that incorporate by reference parts of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, and directs the Copyright Czar to lobby foreign governments to adopt stronger IP laws. At this point, our best hope would appear to be to hope that someone sensible like Laurence Lessig or William Patry gets appointed."

President Signs Law Creating Copyright Czar

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Re:Fist Prose (Score:5, Funny)

by owlnation ( 858981 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:13PM (#25363235)

Don't worry, look how successful the Drugs Czar is. Money well spent.

Re:Fist Prose (Score:5, Funny)

by boarder8925 ( 714555 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:13PM (#25363239)

What countries should I consider moving to?

Ones that don't have extradition agreements with the United States.

Czar (Score:5, Funny)

by religious freak ( 1005821 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:17PM (#25363269)

Ok, outside the copyright debate, am I the only one that is extremely skeptical when someone is the "czar" of something? What the hell does that actually mean, and what can they actually do?

If it doesn't sound like an utterly useless, powerless post, it sounds like we should be running for our lives from this all powerful czar - neither is particularly good, from my perspective.

Just like a Drug Czar eh? (Score:5, Funny)

by hurfy ( 735314 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:24PM (#25363331)

Does that mean copyrights will now be available on every street corner?
Whaddaya mean the wasn't the goal?

Re:Just like a Drug Czar eh? (Score:2, Funny)

by Widowwolf ( 779548 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:28PM (#25363357) Homepage

No no it means every street corner will be copyrighted. No making a song anymore, it could be a copyrighted street name!

Re:Czar (Score:5, Funny)

by meringuoid ( 568297 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:30PM (#25363379)

Ok, outside the copyright debate, am I the only one that is extremely skeptical when someone is the "czar" of something? What the hell does that actually mean, and what can they actually do?
They get shot, bayonetted, dunked in an acid bath, then thrown down a mineshaft, by Communists.
A spectre is haunting America - the spectre of Piracy ;-)

Who cares... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:33PM (#25363407)

As of a few weeks ago my country's future is tied to China and India, not the USA. Been nice knowing you guys. Have fun with the copyright stuff.

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

by russ1337 ( 938915 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:48PM (#25363541)

Bush is like Ronald McDonald.

When I get a bad Cheesburger, I don't blame the Server, I dont blame the Cook, I don't blame the store manager. No I blame Ronald. He is the figurehead that represents everthing about McDonalds so he is to blame. Also, when I get nice tasty fresh fries, he gets my high-five.

When the Government is out of control, the President is accountable. Just like Ronald.

America is dying (Score:5, Funny)

by rezalas ( 1227518 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @08:50PM (#25363563)

Hello mr. Constitution, my name was Paul. However, I was sued by the RIAA for infringing on their copyright of the letter "P" and now I'm known as inmate 5675. Unfortunately, God-King Bush said I also violated his copyright on free speech with my first letter so they took my Kidneys since I don't have anything left after my legs were taken for speaking against the media's word.

Re:Fist Prose (Score:5, Funny)

by ChromeAeonium ( 1026952 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @09:03PM (#25363671)

The Russian czar was eventually replaced by communists who believed in free stuff for all.

Open source advocates believe in free software for all, and will likely try to destroy the position of Copyright Czar.

This isn't just money wasting legislation, someone has actually set up a very elaborate experiment to test if history repeats itself under controlled conditions.

Re:As if parents needed another "war" to worry abo (Score:5, Funny)

by jessica_alba ( 1234100 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @09:13PM (#25363755)

Young people often fundamentally don't understand the economic incentives

A public hanging of Santa Claus will teach the little bastards a thing or tw0.

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

by Nefarious Wheel ( 628136 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @09:45PM (#25363987) Journal

So instead of faulting anyone who had a hand in the making of your cheeseburger, you place the blame solely on a fictional clown that was invented by marketing people?
The difference being...?

Re:As if parents needed another "war" to worry abo (Score:5, Funny)

by Nimey ( 114278 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @09:46PM (#25363995) Homepage Journal

Just think of how powerful the prison guards' union will be...
"How long are you in for, comrade?"
"Eight years."
"What are you in for?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"Lies. The penalty for nothing is ten years!"

Re:what's next? (Score:3, Funny)

by Chuck Chunder ( 21021 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @09:48PM (#25364015) Journal

A Czar Czar of course.
Preferably they can find someone with the surname "Gabor"

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

by TheSpoom ( 715771 ) * writes: <slashdot&uberm00,net> on Monday October 13, 2008 @10:00PM (#25364113) Homepage Journal

America: Uh, heard of the War on Drugs?
The World: Y'know, on second thought, maybe you need to just get some better weed and chill out a little.

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

by mgiuca ( 1040724 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @10:53PM (#25364455)

That's an excellent way to describe the president: "a fictional clown that was invented by marketing people".

Re:Fist Prose (Score:3, Funny)

by GaryPatterson ( 852699 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @10:57PM (#25364477)

Man that's a lot of trouble to go through just because I downloaded Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On".
There can be no punishment that is worse than the crime itself. Surely you must be allowed to go free.

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @11:09PM (#25364537)

It's more or less "one dying by revolt".
See Caesar.

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

by hedwards ( 940851 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @11:38PM (#25364657)

One is a made up amusement park quality attraction and the other one is a corporate mascot.

Re:Four score and seven years ago... (Score:3, Funny)

by shadwstalkr ( 111149 ) writes: on Monday October 13, 2008 @11:56PM (#25364743) Homepage

"Stop having sex in my bedroom! And where is my god damn hat?" --Abe Lincoln

man this will suck (Score:4, Funny)

by discogravy ( 455376 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @12:44AM (#25365029) Homepage

....just like when the drug czar was appointed over the War On Drugs and now illegal drugs are impossible to find...

Re:As if parents needed another "war" to worry abo (Score:3, Funny)

by martin-boundary ( 547041 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @01:07AM (#25365197)

In Soviet America, Russian joke become American joke.

Re:Czar (Score:5, Funny)

by syousef ( 465911 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @01:30AM (#25365319) Journal

When hundreds of millions of children can "manufacture and distribute" copies of works more easily than they can tie their shoes...
Personally, I blame Velcro.

War? (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @02:43AM (#25365673)

So... with the Drug Czar we have a "War on Drugs". Does it mean we can safely label this new campaign a "War on Intellect"?

Stallman!!! (Score:3, Funny)

by WetCat ( 558132 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @04:29AM (#25366097)

Nominate Richard Stallman as copyright czar! Let EFF win!

Re:Czar (Score:2, Funny)

by Jedi Alec ( 258881 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @06:18AM (#25366555)

The only real power any of these Czars have is to spend taxpayer money like it's (insert a fitting metaphor here).
1999?

Re:Fist Prose (Score:3, Funny)

by sckeener ( 137243 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @08:32AM (#25367225)

Back in the 70s the FBI stated that 99.8% of the US population has committed some crime that is worthy of jail time....
With this new IP Czar, the powers that be apparently wanted to nab that last .2%.

Re:Czar (Score:2, Funny)

by Bohdan P. ( 1153457 ) writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @12:02PM (#25370127)

Well, I am by bloodline Ukrainian. If anyone wants to be a Cossack and join in against the czars, I am hiring. Hetman Bohdan

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Tuesday October 14, 2008 @12:16PM (#25370357)

Conservatives would tell you to stop whining and become rich.

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President Signs Law Creating Copyright Czar 555

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President Signs Law Creating Copyright Czar

Re:Fist Prose (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Fist Prose (Score:5, Funny)

Czar (Score:5, Funny)

Just like a Drug Czar eh? (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Just like a Drug Czar eh? (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Czar (Score:5, Funny)

Who cares... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

America is dying (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Fist Prose (Score:5, Funny)

Re:As if parents needed another "war" to worry abo (Score:5, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

Re:As if parents needed another "war" to worry abo (Score:5, Funny)

Re:what's next? (Score:3, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Fist Prose (Score:3, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:1, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Four score and seven years ago... (Score:3, Funny)

man this will suck (Score:4, Funny)

Re:As if parents needed another "war" to worry abo (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Czar (Score:5, Funny)

War? (Score:1, Funny)

Stallman!!! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Czar (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Fist Prose (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Czar (Score:2, Funny)

Re:USA + Bush = FAIL (Score:1, Funny)

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