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COPYRIGHT CLASH

Republicans Fire Young Staffer for Copyright Reform Memo

His pro-reform stance upset some powerful interests

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by PolitixMayday

Staff Writer t

Image: AP

Derek Khanna, a young Republican staffer, made massive waves in tech circles by writing a scathing policy brief on America's copyright law. As a result he's been fired from the from Republican Study Committee (RSC), effective as soon as Congress reconvenes in January.

Khanna's memo proposed "lighter punishments for copyright infringements and suggested shorter terms for copyrights" than the current 75-year term, according to the Washington Examiner's Timothy Carney.

The memo won favor from some conservatives, including Carney, who writes that copyright law "has become a textbook case of collusion between big business and big government." But the brief was withdrawn within hours because it upset powerful entertainment interests, including the Nashville music industry.

According to Republican officials, Khanna's memo was "published without adequate review."

Via the Hill and the Washington Examiner.
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47 Comments (view in Forum)

  • FFX_VA
    !
    Every organization needs to send a clear message as to their position on things, rouge statements & position papers delute that message. What do you expect them to do? There is prob more to it than this story reveals.
  • FollowTheMoney
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    I expect them to put the interest of the nation first. They fired this guy because he didn't play by the rules. Fine, but they screwed up by letting the word get out about it.
  • stepped_in_it
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    So, please name some who are not bought and paid for? Republicans/Democrats/liberals /conservatives/libertarians... .all bought and paid for by who ever has the money and when it fits their needs! A sad but true life/world.
  • stepped_in_it
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    @Jim49418 Are you sure or just wishing. Please go look at his contributors before you say that. (Remember, they don't give unless they expect, so think about that)

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  • Republican5001
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    Staffer should of given some forethought to his memorandum and response completely approrpiate. If you are not the owner or boss, you have no right to freely express your thoughts other than that of the company or customer.
  • dances-weebles
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    well, i don't want it to fall, actually, but i want it to apply judiciously and expire in an intelligent amt. of time.

    now only that, but i don't think that copying something like a song from the internet should be covered at all. if it's on the internet, then it's free... and that also includes programmes. if i want to buy and pay for windows 8, for example, i'll go to the store and lay my money on the counter. if i want it for free, i'll copy it off of the internet. it's that simple.

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  • UnCommonBoston
    !
    Ideas are the product of work. Music, art, books, photographs, software, scientific research, inventions, etc require years of study to produce. Once I have worked out an idea for a piece of art, I maybe able to complete it in a few hours. But that piece is the product of years of education, experimentation and hard work. Nothing comes easy, a news article may take a good journalist just a few hours, but they worked hard to get to that point and their work should be treated accordingly and protected by copywrite. If someone want to reprint a photo, article or use anothers computer program, requiring them to pay a fee is totally reasonable.

    One of the marvels of the Internet is how quickly information spreads. Organizations have spokesman for this reason. Someone who has learned what sort of things can be damaging. This person is a senior staff member with years of experience. One of the most important things I learned from my jobs is to keep your mouth shut and refer people to the appropriate person.
  • WMCOL
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    GOP hurts itself again because they are again denying truth. Copyright Law "has become a textbook case of collusion between big business and big government," just as this guy says. Millions of individuals are swindled out of their inventions and creations because the laws in collusion with big business make it so difficult for those with limited resources to get patents.
  • Dan_Tien
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    If it is true that copyrights have become " collusion between big business and big government", they also protect artists and writers who sometimes spend years creating work that is already stolen too easily.
  • mtkopf
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    To me its not whether copyright laws need to be changed its the fact that this guy gets fired for coming up with an IDEA! That is exactly what is wrong with our country no one can voice ideas and leave them open for a debate.
    This was a MEMO that was written about an idea that some conservatives SUPPORTED. There's no saying bad idea just you're fired. Think what would happen if everyone who ever had a bad idea was fired...where would our country be?
  • FollowTheMoney
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    Partisan politics is a waste of time. To get behind one of the power parties is an exercise in futility. This could be Democrat outfit just as easily as Republican. This just proves that professional politicians are on the take.
  • Mbjhug
    !
    I'm with you on this one, however I believe the meaning behind this mask has changed dramatically. In fact, the simple fact that there IS a mask completely changes the ideology behind it. I believe most people associate it with Anonymous. Not necessarily with their actions but fallout that happens. IMO, a person wearing that mask is saying it doesn't matter who they are, where they come from or how much money they have. They are still a person, a voice. And that voice carries as much power as the next. It's just all in a matter of HOW you use the voice.
  • Fishbone345
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    @Mbjhug I understand its intent. But, I'd be willing to bet that most the people who wear it have no idea who Fawkes even was or what he and the other conspirators represented.
    Most likely use it because of "V for Vendetta"
  • Denizen_Kate
    !
    My head is spinning. Do I have this right? The GOP fired a staffer for writing a policy brief with which some of their most powerful contingents disagree? And they fired him because " ... it upset powerful entertainment interests ... "? Who is in Hollywood's pocket now?
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    This has a context one needs understand. I've read RSC reports, thet are always to the right of the repub party itself and marshall arguments against or give argumebts in support of the more extreme positions. This tea party congressmay be different, but generally the reports are, or were, before talking points were issued, written to prepare congressmen/women to help understand and argue the most right leaning arguments, so someone appearing, say on meet the press, unfamiliar with tge topic, or someone giving a speech to a audience on a specific topic, could prepare for the discussion...
  • Synthesis
    !
    I wonder if the young republican shares the views of the majority of the young republicans of his/her age. I'm betting it's less conservative.