[The E]

Via techdirt comes an encouraging position paper generated in the depths of the Republican party:

There is a lot in this document, and we can't go through it all, but I highly recommend reading through it. The three "myths" it attacks are:

That the purpose of copyright is to compensate the creator. No, it correctly notes, it's about benefiting the public:
Thus, according to the Constitution, the overriding purpose of the copyright system is to “promote the progress of science and useful arts.” In today’s terminology we may say that the purpose is to lead to maximum productivity and innovation.

This is a major distinction, because most legislative discussions on this topic, particularly during the extension of the copyright term, are not premised upon what is in the public good or what will promote the most productivity and innovation, but rather what the content creators “deserve” or are “entitled to” by virtue of their creation. This lexicon is appropriate in the realm of taxation and sometimes in the realm of trade protection, but it is inappropriate in the realm of patents and copyrights.

That copyright is a representation of free market capitalization. The paper properly notes that the reality is the exact opposite:

Copyright violates nearly every tenet of laissez faire capitalism. Under the current system of copyright, producers of content are entitled to a guaranteed, government instituted, government subsidized content-monopoly.

That the current copyright regime leads to the greatest level of innovation and productivity. That makes no sense at all, the paper says:

Today’s legal regime of copyright law is seen by many as a form of corporate welfare that hurts innovation and hurts the consumer. It is a system that picks winners and losers, and the losers are new industries that could generate new wealth and added value. We frankly may have no idea how it actually hurts innovation, because we don’t know what isn’t able to be produced as a result of our current system.

Direct link to the PDF paper: http://rsc.jordan.house.gov/uploadedfiles/rsc_policy_brief_--_three_myths_about_copyright_law_and_where_to_start_to_fix_it_--_november_16_2012.pdf

[redsniper]

Damn, guess we better nip this in the bud or else someone might try and pass legislation that actually makes sense! :V

[Nuke]

definitely an interesting read. ive always known the left was the major target for copywrite lobbying (mainly thanks to hollywood and the record industry). this was always one of the major reasons i didnt like siding with the left. so im glad that at least someone on the right is capable of abstract thought.

[SypheDMar]

Still reading, but I'm quite happy. While it's hard to see change within the next two years, I'm hoping for a reform.

And as for the Republicans... maybe they'll only differ from the Democrats in terms of economic policy. This committee seems to be taking a progressive stance on the issue. Please let me know if I am misreading it.

e: I am loving what I'm reading! I am also seeing that the probability of reform diminishes with every word.

[The E]

Well, that didn't take long.

From: Teller, Paul
Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2012 04:11 PM
Subject: RSC Copyright PB

We at the RSC take pride in providing informative analysis of major policy issues and pending legislation that accounts for the range of perspectives held by RSC Members and within the conservative community. Yesterday you received a Policy Brief on copyright law that was published without adequate review within the RSC and failed to meet that standard. Copyright reform would have far-reaching impacts, so it is incredibly important that it be approached with all facts and viewpoints in hand. As the RSC’s Executive Director, I apologize and take full responsibility for this oversight. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and a meaningful Thanksgiving holiday....

Paul S. Teller
Executive Director
U.S. House Republican Study Committee
[email protected]
http://republicanstudycommittee.com

So apparently, they got cold feet and retracted the piece before the MAFIAA could do something.

[Nuke]

its sad who really runs things. burn it all to the ground before its too late!

[SypheDMar]

I can't believe I almost believed in them. The Republicants perpetually ruin my mood. Did anybody end up saving the brief? It was a good paper with good research.

[The E]

It's still live here: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/an-anti-ip-turn-for-the-gop/

[SypheDMar]

Great! Thanks!

[sigtau]

Is this dead?  Is there any chance of sanity, despite the GOP being the perpetual bag of **** that it is today?

[General Battuta]

Is this dead?  Is there any chance of sanity, despite the GOP being the perpetual bag of **** that it is today?

It hasn't been very long has it

[Nuke]

well an article like that isn't going to disappear. if the gop wants to suck on lobbyist pecker instead of get votes, they can keep trying to bury it. im pretty sure the democrats would leave it alone considering how tightly intertwined they are with the entertainment industry.

[Aardwolf]

Would've had my vote

If there were a candidate running for some position other than President, who wasn't utterly contemptible in every other way... so maybe not. But if it were a referendum I would've voted for it.

[SypheDMar]

GOP are just as spineless as the Democrats are viewed as. http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/12/06/derek_khanna_fired_by_the_republican_study_committee.html

[karajorma]

Fire people for having intelligent, well-thought out ideas. Sounds like standard GOP politics to me.