Pro-SOPA Judiciary Head Calls for U.S. Copyright Law Revamp
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and one of the original co-sponsors of the much-maligned antipiracy bill SOPA, on Thursday called for a set of hearings about copyright law.
Noting massive changes in technology, Goodlatte said he wanted to evaluate whether copyright law is still working in the digital age.
“Contrast how American citizens kept up with the latest news in Boston last week to when Paul Revere rode nearby to warn the local communities of the British advance in 1775,” he said.
Goodlatte didn’t describe his aims in great big flashing antipiracy lights, though he did specify that the issues to discuss may include compensation for copyright owners, historical access, statutory licenses and damages for infringement. He said the hearings would occur “in the months ahead.”