Urges Congress to Resist Content Industry Pleas for Technology Mandates

Arlington, Virginia - The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro commending the House Commerce Committee for today’s hearing on digital content and innovation:

“Slingbox and TiVo are small entrepreneurial companies that represent the best of American innovation. They empower Americans to watch their lawfully acquired content where and when they want. These ingenious products are good for consumers and good for the content industry, and will help America remain the world leader in innovation.

“These products have nothing to do with ‘P2P’ or mass, indiscriminate redistribution over the internet. Instead, they allow law-abiding consumers to use content they have already bought and paid for in new and flexible ways.

“Just like the Betamax and the iPod, the Slingbox and TiVo rely on fair use - the ability to use content for non-infringing purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright owner. If they had been required to go to the content industry to secure advance permission, it is highly unlikely that any of these products would have reached the marketplace.

“The Grokster decision gave the content industries the tools they need to protect their industry from piracy. Now, it’s time to let the free market work. Congress should resist the content industry’s pleas for more anti-consumer flags, licenses, limitations and technology mandates. Instead, Congress should urge the content industry to use technology to create a more vibrant, exciting world for consumers.

“In addition to leading technology innovation, these companies also help employ cutting-edge American workers. The CE industry is directly responsible for over 1.9 million U.S. employees spread across the entire spectrum of value creation - from R&D, design, manufacturing, retail and content creation. The CE industry continues to show healthy gains in employment with over one-and-a-half percent year-over-year growth, equaling over 30,000 jobs a year. The continued wage and headcount expansions of the CE industry have had an influential effect that can be felt throughout the economy.

“Slingbox and TiVo prove the power of American innovative genius in an increasingly competitive world. They and similar entrepreneurs should be free to innovate in peace, free from the threat of lawsuits and overbearing government mandates.”

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA’s members account for more than $125 billion in annual sales. CEA’s resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Source - The Consumer Electronics Association