File sharing

In spite of this victory for common sense, the US Senate managed on Friday to slip in another hunk of RIAA badness. The only small glimmer of santy in this bill was that language to make the DoJ enforcers of IP infringements was successful staved of largely with the help of Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

“At a critical economic juncture, this bipartisan legislation provides enhanced protection for an important asset that helps lead our global competitiveness,” RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol said. “Additional tools for intellectual-property enforcement are not just good for the copyright community but for consumers who will enjoy a wider array of legitimate offerings.”

Even though the DoJ enforcement teeth were largely removed, “The legislation still provides increased resources for the Justice Department to combat intellectual property theft and provide coordination for federal and state efforts against counterfeiting and piracy. It also increases penalties for intellectual property infringements.”

In addition “The bill replaces the body that currently enforces intellectual property law with a White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.” Which even the Bush administration finds “objectionable on constitutional grounds.”

And when the Bush administration finds anything “objectionable on constitutional grounds” it must be off-the-charts bad.