Calif. State Bill Would Target File-Sharing Software Providers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 19, 2005 - 8:08am.

Sacramento, Calif. -- Providers of file-sharing software that fail to exercise "reasonable care" to prevent use of their software for copyright infringement could face a $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail, under newly proposed legislation in the California state legislature. State Sen. Kevin Murray, who introduced the bill, was also responsible for a bill last year that would have put file-swappers in jail who offer a copyrighted file to more than 10 people without including a valid e-mail address. Murray told CNET News.com the bill is intended to compel peer-to-peer companies to filter copyrighted works from their networks. "We're only asking for reasonable controls. We're not asking for people to create new technology or recreate the wheel," Murray told News.com. "State Sen. Murray did not choose to seek out the facts before introducing misguided legislation that effectively would make criminals out of many companies that bring jobs and economic growth to California," said Mike Weiss, CEO of file-sharing firm StreamCast Networks. "This bill is an attack on innovation itself and tax-paying California-based businesses like StreamCast depend on that freedom to innovate."
http://tinyurl.com/6bn2f
http://tinyurl.com/7yrxm