Public Knowledge Joining Copyright Office Roundtable in Washington D.C.
Public Knowledge Joining Copyright Office Roundtable in Washington D.C.
Public Knowledge Joining Copyright Office Roundtable in Washington D.C.

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    Public Knowledge balanced copyright advocates Raza Panjwani and John Bergmayer will appear at public roundtable discussions May 18-20 to discuss software-enabled consumer devices (May 18) and the DMCA’s Section 1201 anticircumvention provision (May 19-20) at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. The U.S. Copyright Office is hosting these public roundtables as it studies how various provisions of copyright law impact rights owners, consumers and even internet service providers.

    At the roundtable discussions John Bergmayer will participate in sessions covering the role copyright law should have with respect to software embedded in consumer devices. The sessions are scheduled for May 18, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The following can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Senior Staff Attorney at Public Knowledge:

    “Public Knowledge's position on these issues is simple: Adding software to consumer products should not take away consumer rights. Software is increasingly a key part of products of every kind, from cars to coffee pots. But consumers’ right to repair, resell, and modify the things they own should not change because of this, nor should norms of consumer protection and product liability. Fundamentally, people own the things they buy, with all that entails, and a thin veneer of software licenses doesn't change this.”

    Raza Panjwani will speak about the relationship of Section 1201 to copyright infringement and consumer and competition issues, and procedural and evidentiary issues with the triennial exemption process on May 19 at 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. The following can be attributed to Raza Panjwani, Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge:

    “Section 1201’s negative impacts on innovation and consumers’ ability to engage in lawful uses of their technology have been readily apparent for years. Your right to unlock a cellphone, repair a tractor, or make fair uses of high-definition video clips should not be subject to a burdensome triennial regulatory proceeding. As long-time advocates for reforming Section 1201, and regular participants in the triennial exemption proceedings, we welcome the opportunity to once again address this topic.”

    You can attend these public roundtables at the following address:

    Where:
    Library of Congress
    James Madison Memorial Building
    101 Independence Ave SE
    Washington, DC 20540

    Full Agenda:
    Wednesday, May 18 – Software-Enabled Consumer Products Study
    Thursday, May 19 & Friday, May 20 – Section 1201 Study

    Please contact Public Knowledge with media inquiries. You can visit our issue page or check out our reforming copyright portal for more information.

    Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.