Klobuchar bill would make it a felony to unlawfully stream copyrighted ‘performances’ online
By Paul Schmelzer |
06.16.11 | 3:30 pm
A bill introduced last month by Sen. Amy Klobuchar could make it a felony criminal act to stream copyrighted “performances” online without permission. The bill — “To amend the criminal penalty provision for criminal infringement of a copyright, and for other purposes,” or S. 978 — assigns a maximum 5-year prison term for those convicted of streaming “10 or more public performances by electronic means, during any 180-day period.” Critics call the measure “horrible” and say it could stifle innovation online.
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