The Digital Freedom Bill of Sights and Sounds

Preamble: The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees our right to communicate. New technologies—from the printing press to the Internet—have driven our economy, empowered our citizens, leveraged our creativity and improved our lives. Because of technology, America now stands as the global leader in innovation, ingenuity, and creativity.

The right to obtain a copyright is also set forth in the Constitution. A balanced copyright law rewards the creators of new works and ideas, and encourages individuals to enjoy, manage and expand upon lawfully-acquired creative works.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed this balance in its Betamax ruling recognizing that recording lawfully acquired content for later enjoyment is a legal consumer activity.

The historic balance struck in the Constitution is now under fierce attack by a handful of large content companies. To preserve historic business models, they are trying to shift this balance toward large copyright owners and away from consumers, innovators, and independent artists.

If we are to continue building a society of richer experiences, greater creativity, and ubiquitous communication and knowledge, the rights of consumers, artists, and innovators to create and use digital technology must be reaffirmed.

Therefore:

1. All Americans have the right to become artists, innovators, and creators, and to use digital technology to do so;
2. All Americans have the right to develop and use digital technology without unreasonable restrictions;
3. All Americans should be confident and secure that they will not face legal threats or lawsuits because they are lawfully enjoying the benefits of digital technology in their homes, cars and on the go;
4. Artists must be compensated and treated fairly even as technologies and business models change.  All stakeholders must come together to offer legitimate alternatives to consumers and oppose commercial piracy.
5. Congress must respect the spirit of the Constitution and resist imposing government mandates that limit the use of digital technology; and,
6. Congress must recognize that creativity and innovation should be nurtured, and not restricted for the benefit of big record labels and movie studios.