[TNham] Re: Questionable bills being introduced - A reply

[Chuck Hawks]

I contacted my State Represntative, Mark Maddox, and received this reply. It
is shared with his permission.

Chuck Hawks - KE4ETH
Shirley Hawks - KE4KHF

Chuck and Shirley,

I share an office with the bill's sponsor.  When I asked him about it, he
indicated that your problem had been solved in an amendment.
The following is his response to complaints about the bill:

There has been much misinformation spread about this bill, my intent in
sponsoring it (contrary to popular belief, I have never been contacted by
anyone from the Motion Picture Association of America regarding this
legislation, ever), what it accomplishes, and what it prohibits. I
introduced this legislation because of a real problem regarding theft of
voice, video, and data communications. The value of that theft last year is
estimated to be between $100-130 million. I know that none of the interested
parties, including yourself, would condone that behavior as that cost is
passed on to legitimate purchasers of these communications services. Once
the bill was introduced, parties from all sides began meeting to work out an
amendment to clarify that to violate the provisions of this proposed law,
one must have the intent to defraud or steal something that would otherwise
have to be purchased. These parties have included consumer electronic
manufacturers, computer software designers, computer network professionals,
and librarians. It does not at all relate to copyrighted material, as those
issues are pre-empted by federal law. The amendment also makes it abundantly
clear that legislation would not make illegal legitimate computer designs or
applications relating to networks and firewalls, nor the encrypting of data
associated with those applications. I am continuing to work on the amendment
to address any specific concerns. However, the vast majority of those who
have contacted me have not seen and/or read the amendment to the bill. To
help people understand what the legislation will look like as amended, I
have scheduled a meeting in my office, 17 Legislative Plaza, on Tuesday,
May, 6, at 10:00am. Please feel free to attend this meeting. I look forward
to working with you to develop a piece of legislation that accomplishes my
intent without compromising your legitimate activities.

After looking at the amendment, would you please let me know if you think it
solves your problem with the bill?

Sincerely,

Mark L. Maddox
State Representative

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Nashville Office Address: 17 Legislative Plaza
                                      Nashville, TN  37243
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                          Toll Call: 615-741-7847
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                                     Dresden, TN  38225
Dresden Office Phone:     731-364-2685
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