With law professors up in arms about the proposed PROTECT IP act, and widespread support for the controversial bill in Congress, a new study tries to show the other side of the equation.
The MPAA, RIAA and other members of the copyright lobby has often used the economy, and jobs, as reasons to introduce tougher copyright laws. These lobby groups claim millions of jobs are being lost every year due to online piracy. The MPAA and RIAA have often stated their desire to reduce or remove fair use provisions in existing copyright laws, provisions designed to protect innovation and creativity.
The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has commissioned a report that shows fair use industries play a huge part in the US economy. Fair use industries include software companies, to search engines, to news website, and not only do these industries contribute $4.5 trillion to the US economy, representing 17% of US GDP, they also employ 1 out of 8 Americans (and this is only 2009 figures).
And not all politicians, it appears, are standing by the MPAA and RIAA's assertions that tougher copyright laws equals more jobs. Speaking at the release of this study, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) warned against passing PROTECT IP, as PROTECT IP could actually hurt the economy and jobs. "These economic arguments are particularly important when there's a lot at stake -- jobs, jobs jobs," Polis added.
CEO of CCIA Ed Black also had something to say on the dangers of PROTECT IP, "Too often we hear about the cost of piracy without also considering the cost to legitimate sectors of the U.S. economy of poorly targeted copyright enforcement measures like the pending Protect IP Act."
Do you think the PROTECT IP act and other tougher copyright legislation could end up costing jobs by limiting innovation and creativity? Post your opinion in this news article's comments section, or in this forum thread:
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=95027
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