The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the
Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Computer Systems Policy
Project (CSPP), said yesterday they have adopted a set of
principles on digital rights.
The specifics of these principles were not disclosed, but the
industry groups said they focus on the protection of digital
content without "government-dictated technology mandates".
As part of the agreement, the RIAA said it will oppose proposed
US legislation that would require anti-copying technological
measures to be embedded in computers and consumer electronics
devices. The IT industry has expressed strong opposition to such
proposals, which it argues would be costly and inhibit
innovation.
In exchange, the technology groups, whose members include
Microsoft, Intel, IBM and Dell, agreed to oppose legislative
proposals that affect certain consumer rights to use digital
material.
However, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) was
notably absent from the deal, as were other major technology
companies, such as Sun. The movie studios believe that
government-mandated technological measures are the best way to
protect digital copyright.
The RIAA's full statement is available at:
www.riaa.org/PR_story.cfm?id=595
