The Hollings bill is sweeping: It would make it illegal for the owner of a CD to copy it for his own use. It is a break with precedent, since we have not heretofore insisted that consumer technology be government-approved. It imposes costs on technology manufacturers unfairly. (It’s not their fault that the music industry makes CDs that are easy to copy.) It’s also insulting: The entertainment industry is treating its customers as presumptive criminals.
When tech companies help Democrats get elected to the Senate, they are working to keep Hollings as chairman of the Commerce Committee. If they keep it up, they’ll deserve what they get. NR
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