Hollywood regroups after losing battle over anti-piracy bills

[marmar]

By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times
January 21, 2012


After a week in which their anti-piracy legislation got derailed by the full force of the Internet lobby, the mood in Hollywood was one of anger, frustration and a growing resignation that the entertainment industry will be forced to accept a much weaker law than originally envisioned.

A full-on counterattack by a tech industry opposed to the toughest elements in the congressional bills, including a well-publicized Wednesday shutdown by key Internet sites, halted the legislation.

With supporters defecting, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Friday postponed a key procedural vote. The lead sponsor of the companion bill in the House said he would redraft the proposed law in search of consensus.

The developments were a setback for former Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, who has made fighting online piracy his No. 1 priority since becoming head of the Motion Picture Assn. of America last March. The Connecticut Democrat was selected in part for his political savvy and 30-year experience in Congress. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/la-fi-ct-hollywood-post-sopa-20120121,0,4090908.story

[glowing]

1. The revolving door between congress and lobbyists...

It is quite telling with this example right here... Chris Dodd lobbying for Hollywood... literally making Democrats the party who would be limiting access to information on the internet.

And while Dodd was in office, didn't he become one of the wealthiest in office... probably because he was on finance and knew so many bets to place on Wall St.. And wasn't he the recipient of a very special low interest rate on his home as well?

Retire for more time with family, my ass!!! Retire to make more money in the private sector now lobbying all of his old friends. Is there any wonder why congress has a 5% approval rating?

[midnight]

2. How very interesting.... I didn't know Dodd was now

head of the Motion Picture Assn. of America....

[Bennyboy]

3. They already sent me an email

defending the bills. Wish I Hadn't trashed them...

[lonestarnot]

4. Now on to overturning citizen's united v federal election commission.

[izquierdista]

5. Correction, his No. 2 priority

Number one priority for Dodd is lining his own pockets.

[meow2u3]

6. Hollywood should concentrate on fighting piracy on the corporate level

instead of battling the rare phenomenom of online piracy, unless, of course, they want to eliminate the competition because they have no new ideas of their own.
The entertainment middlemen, a.k.a., the MPAA and RIAA, are the playground bullies who would rather pick on people who can't fight back legally than adapt to the fact that their dictatorial fantasies of absolute control of the media is not going to happen without netizens all over the world pushing back.

[MicaelS]

7. What infuriates me about Hollywood

Is they're always talking about "saving American jobs", then they turn right around and make TV shows and movies outside the US "to save money", which means cutting American union jobs.

[vaberella]

8. People wonder why I hate celebrities and all they stand for.

This is just one part of the money behind them that is terrified of reality and the movement of the future. Plus these assholes have their own agenda...people like to forget who they are if they hear enough good things coming out of their mouths.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Hollywood regroups..and the politians start pricing Mecerdes.

[JackRiddler]

10. It's not "piracy." It's owner allegations of copyright infringement.

It's about overturning due process and giving them the power to summarily shut down web sites on the basis of accusation.

[Dawson Leery]

11. Countrywide Chris Dodd continues fear mongering:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/mpaa-dodd-warns-washington-not-let-internet-pirates-sink-pipa-sopa.html