We must update our copyright laws to protect the intellectual property rights of creative works available online. The future growth of computer networks, like the Internet, and of digital, electronic communications require it. Otherwise, owners of intellectual property will be unwilling to put their material online. If there is no content worth reading online, the growth of this medium will be stifled, and public accessibility will be retarded.
Predictor: Leahy, Patrick
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 report from a joint hearing of the House and Senate Judiciary committees Courts and Intellectual Property subcommittees, testimony from Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) includes the following statement: ”The emergence of the computer networks forming the backbone of the National Information Infrastructure in this country and the Global Information Infrastructure worldwide hold enormous promise for our nation’s continued economic health and growth. The networks will increasingly become the means of transmitting copyrighted works in the years ahead. This presents great opportunities but also poses significant risks to authors and our copyright industries. We must update our copyright laws to protect the intellectual property rights of creative works available online. The future growth of computer networks, like the Internet, and of digital, electronic communications require it. Otherwise, owners of intellectual property will be unwilling to put their material online. If there is no content worth reading online, the growth of this medium will be stifled, and public accessibility will be retarded.”
Biography:Patrick Leahy was a U.S. Senate member who played an important role in Congressional discussions of the Internet in the 1990s. (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: November 15, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Copyright/Intellectual Property/Plagiarism
Name of publication: Federal News Service
Title, headline, chapter name: Prepared Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy Before the Joint Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property; SUBJECT: Copyright Bills
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=76f3e7ffdcf1c4a935745ee170dfa099&_docnum=6&wchp=dGLbVlz-lSlAl&_md5=46e9c055cbcc3a9fbe7b671e5fc7acaf
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Little, Brandi W.