Conservatives Decry Induce Act

WASHINGTON D.C. — The nation’s oldest conservative group came out against the Induce Act Friday, with a series of humorous advertisements poking fun at the act and any Republicans who might support it.

The American Conservative Union’s ad, which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, the Weekly Standard and National Review, criticized Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch’s bill, claiming that that the Induce Act “attacks consumers’ right to use technologies,” and attempted to “make the intellectual property rights of Hollywood fat cats more important than the personal property rights of Americans.”

“This is the Hollywood liberals trying to crush innovation,” ACU deputy director Stacie Rumenap told CNET News. “What’s sad is they’ve got Republicans on their side.”

The Induce Act, sponsored by Hatch in June, originally included wording that anyone who induces a violation of copyright law could be held liable.

Public policy organizations like NetCoalition, which represents Google, Yahoo and CNET, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, quickly came out against the act, claiming that it would overturn a 1984 Supreme Court decision referred to as the "Betamax" decision.

The Betamax decision said that technology companies couldn’t be held liable for copyright infringement that utilized their products provided that the technology was “capable of substantial non-infringing uses.”

“The problem is that it doesn’t look like they’re willing to preserve the Sony Betamax standard for the cause of action of inducement,” said Markham Erickson, associate general counsel for NetCoalition.

A new version of the bill was privately circulated on Capital Hill Friday which sought to address those concerns. It clarifies that companies must engage in “conscious and deliberate affirmative acts” to be found liable.

“This version represents constructive movement to meet the legitimate concerns of the various stakeholders, including the technology, public-interest and consumer-electronics communities,” said a spokesman for Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy, who supports the bill.

Even with the new wording, the Electronic Frontier Foundation still finds the bill objectionable.

“Any technology that allows dissemination is still completely threatened by this bill,” said Jason Schultz, an attorney with the EFF.

Another ad featuring the picture of a traveling musician laden with instruments and the words, “Don’t Let Congress Make Him Your Next Portable Music Player,” will begin running in Roll Call and local newspapers starting today.

Copyright © 2025 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

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

Show More