COPYCENSE

"In the realm of protecting music and movies from electronic theft, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has been the entertainment industry’s most powerful ally in Congress. A songwriter himself, Hatch has waged war against illegal file swapping, backing laws to stiffen copyright protections and keeping the issue in the spotlight with a steady stream of high-profile hearings.

"In 2005, term limits require that Hatch hand over his chairman’s gavel to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) — an otherwise routine power shift that could have far-reaching implications for high-tech firms, movie studios, record companies and the future of downloading.

"Opponents of the entertainment industry in the copyright debate see Specter’s ascension as an opportunity to gain ground in a fight that they say has been stacked against them."

David McGuire. Uncertain Landscape Ahead for Copyright Protection. WashingtonPost.com. Dec. 16, 2004.

(Editor�s Note: The Post allows free access to their stories on the Web for 14 days before sending the stories to the paper�s fee-based Archives.)

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