USACM is committed to ensuring that intellectual property rights are protected. How those rights are enforced can block other, legitimate uses of intellectual property, as many computer science researchers and developers have discovered. USACM encourages policymakers to adopt policies that address specific user behaviors, rather than broadly prohibiting technologies that may be used for both desirable and undesirable purposes. Policy should not prohibit an otherwise beneficial technology just because it can be used for an illegal purpose. Additionally, policymakers need to make sure that fair uses of intellectual property are preserved. Without fair use rights, researchers, students and others cannot effectively exchange knowledge and information.

Related Documents


Related Articles

Tomorrow’s House Hearing on the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act
Tomorrow morning, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to consider whether to repeal, reauthorize, or revise the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA). The Committee previously held a hearing on possible reauthorization in February. The la ...Read More

  • (Posted on 11-Jun-13)
  • Consumer Advocates and Industry Endorse Cellphone Unlocking Bill at House Judiciary Committee Hearing
    A legislative proposal to allow consumers to unlock their cellphones garnered support from consumer advocates, wireless industry executives, and a coalition of copyright owners at yesterday’s House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing. Michael Altschul, Senior VP and General Coun ...Read More

  • (Posted on 07-Jun-13)
  • White House Task Force on High-Tech Patent Issues: Legislative Priorities and Executive Actions
    The White House today released a report on the impact of patent trolls on innovation and announced five executive actions the USPTO and the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator will take to address perceived problems with computer and software-related patents. The W ...Read More

  • (Posted on 05-Jun-13)
  • Highlights from Congressional Briefing on Patent Litigation Reform
    The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee yesterday held a panel discussion on “If Patent Litigation Is Strangling High Tech Innovation, When Will Congress Act?” The panelists debated whether Congress should be addressing the perceived problems of abusive p ...Read More

  • (Posted on 01-Jun-13)
  • USACM Statement on House Ways and Means Subcommittee Hearing on U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Negotiations
    The ACM U.S. Public Policy Council today submitted the following statement to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade for the hearing on the U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.   The ACM U.S. Public Policy Council encourages the ...Read More

  • (Posted on 30-May-13)
  • USACM Comments on Proposed US-EU Trade Agreement
    The ACM U.S. Public Policy Council submitted its public comment to the U.S. Trade Representative outlining three important intellectual property principles for the U.S. government to consider in the upcoming Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade negotiations ...Read More

  • (Posted on 15-May-13)