Hollywood vs. The Net: Where do Virginia Senate candidates stand on copyright?

Half the world’s Internet traffic passes through the U.S. state of Virginia, the TeleBlog’s home turf.

Thousands of America Online workers tap away at keyboards in Loudon County in the Northern part of the state, just one of many examples of the Net’s presence here.

Even the Internet Society‘s headquarters are in the Old Dominion.

Tuesday is primary day in Virginia, and we Net types just might make the difference in the Democratic race if the election is extremely close. It’s never too late to ask questions and speak up, whether you live in Virginia or another primary state. So when a volunteer for Democratic Senate candidate James Webb called me yesterday, I inquired where Webb (pictured here) stood on the 1998 Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, the DMCA and other outrages. Just how friendly was Webb to the Web?

No, the volunteer didn’t know even though he himself understood how much damage Hollywood had done to the Internet, both now and in terms of future innovations. He suggested that Webb might be open to the Net side of the story.

To me, that’s also the Virginia side of the story–since the Old Dominion is home to many more small business people and schoolchildren benefiting from the Net than it is to movie moguls.

Both Dem candidates to be emailed–simultaneously

Now I’d welcome a call or e-mail from Webb’s people to assure me he wants pro-Net copyright reform, such as the repeal or at least mitigation of the Bono Act–I’ll simultaneously bring this post to the attention of the press secretaries of both Webb and his Democratic opponent. A quick Google check brought up the following paragraph in a Washington Post story about the campaign donations of Webb and rival Harris Miller, a former technology lobbyist:

Webb, whose book and film writing career has given him celebrity status in Hollywood, traveled to the West Coast for several fundraisers. Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) was a special guest at a fundraiser for Webb last month after participating in a similar event for Miller in the previous reporting period.

While the wording is a bit ambiguous, we know if nothing else that Webb at the very least has accepted Hollywood money, both as donations and personally for his writings. In terms of campaign priorities, the headline in the Post says it all: “Webb, Miller Beef Up Calls For More Cash.”

Jim Web and the courage question

Just what gives here? Will James Webb relieve our concerns, show guts worthy of a decorated war hero, and assure us that Hollywood money or not, he thinks that copyright terms are too long? If he and his issues people need a quick education about the Bono Act and similar outrages, they can download the wisdom of Stanford Law Prof. Larry Lessig.

But what commitments if any did James Webb make in return for Hollywood money? I’d hope none. After all, his entry into the Senate race grew out of a draft effort on the Net. Ideally that might balance out the Hollywood factor, including his past and future compensation from the entertainment industry. Will Jim Webb remember the Netizens who pitched in, early on?

Hope for Miller as well

Given Miller’s tech-related background, I’d hope he’d already have a stand–against Draconian copyright. But I won’t take anything for granted.

For one reason or another, probably something innocuous such as a timing issue or the lack of sufficient donations in industry categories, industry breakdowns at OpenSecrets.org lists only one industry for Miller (“Crop Production & Basic Processing, $1,000”) and no industry for Webb (“This candidate received no contributions large enough to generate this list”).

But were some of Webb’s apparent Hollywood donations really from individuals with entertainment connections? Ugh, I don’t think he’d have flown to California to meet with wine-growers. Still, I’m less interested in campaign donations, or Webb’s writing-related income, than in where the candidates stand.

Please reassure us, Jim–and Harris! Say those copyright terms are too long. Over the years, the never-ending Bono Act will divert billions from schools, libraries and blue-collar workers–not to mention the rest of us–to copyright heirs. Terms were extended by 20 years, so copyright will last the life of an individual author plus 70 years; corporate terms were stretched out from 75 to 95 years, thereby earning the Disney-pushed law the nickname of “The Mickey Mouse Protection Act.” That’s hardly in keeping with populism or even liberalism.

The winner will face Republican George Allen in November. OpenSecrets lists “TV/Movie/Music” at 12th on Allen’s list of donors by industry, with at least $116,000 collected, including at least $26,800 from Time Warner.

I’d encourage Republican Virginians reading the TeleBlog to submit similar questions to Allen. I may do so myself. Good copyright policies should be an issue transcending partisanship. It will serve either party well to turn its back on sleazy, elitist laws like Bono. All three Virginians, Allen, Web and Harris will look good in the long run if they show moral leadership on copyright matters.

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Here’s a copy of my note to the press offices of both candidates, as well as the Webb volunteer who called me:

I’m an undecided lifelong Democratic voter, in Alexandria, who just happens to run an international Web blog devoted to e-books (http://www.teleread.com/blog). Thousands of people visit each week. Since copyright is such an important issue in regard to e-books and other items online, I would appreciate knowing where your candidate stands. Your answers may help turn me from Un to Decided.

A Washington Post article certainly gives me the impression that people with Hollywood connections donated to Mr. Webb, one way or another. When, under what circumstances, and for how much? Could you supply me with a list of relevant Hollywood-related individuals and PACs and their donations to Mr. Webb? Has Mr. Webb made any promises to studios or others in regard to copyright law?

Or, in the other direction, does he feel that copyright terms are too long, or that the DMCA makes it too difficult for consumers to benefit from legitimate backups of e-books and other digital purchases?

See my blog item at http://www.teleread.com/blog/?p=5014.

Needless to say, I’d appreciate the same information from Mr. Miller. I’m reachable at drNOSPAMteleread.com or 703-370-6540.

This note is simultaneously going to the Webb and Harris press offices. Thank you, and the very best of luck to both Democratic candidates.

David Rothman