Bush Appoints Piracy Czar

WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Bush has appointed Chris Israel, a former AOL/Time Warner executive and current deputy chief of staff at the Department of Commerce, to the newly-created post of coordinator of international intellectual property enforcement.

Israel has been asked to focus significant attention on China, which is responsible for 90 percent of DVD piracy in the world. The country joins Russia and Brazil on the roster of countries the Bush Administration has placed on its Intellectual Property Priority Watch List.

"American ingenuity and innovation are driving forces in our economy and we need to protect our ideas, both at home and abroad," Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said in a statement. "This new position will help us to be more aggressive and also help us to better coordinate our fight against intellectual property pirates."

Web pundits wasted no time decrying the appointment as a "corporate bribe," a misallocation of taxpayer resources, and a means for the current administration to criminalize everyone.

"Protect IP this, take away freedom of the press that, and soon you've made everyone a criminal," wrote Slashdot.org commentator Progman33. "It's very handy when everyone is a criminal. It makes ruling with an iron fist much easier."

Israel's appointment comes on the heels of recent attacks against ICANN, which he helped oversee at Commerce, including the charge that ICANN acted arbitrarily in domain extension assignation without consulting other countries.

Meanwhile, business leaders applaud the appointment.

"It is critical that other countries understand our resolve on IP protection and that they take the steps necessary to clamp down on piracy and protect the cycle of innovation that brings great benefits to consumers," Jim Prendergast, executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership, said.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Pineapple Support Appoints Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has appointed veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

Show More