THE ENTERTAINMENT CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION (ECA) SUPPORTS FAIR USE ACT

New Gamer Organization Weighs-in on Digital Consumer Rights

WILTON, Connecticut, October 26, 2007 – The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), the non-profit association which represents game enthusiasts, today announced their support for H.R. 1201, known as the FAIR USE Act of 2007. The bill was originally introduced in the 110th Congress by Congressmembers Rick Boucher (Virginia-D), John Doolittle (California-R) and Zoe Lofgren (California-D) to the United States House of Representatives. The bill, which is a narrower update to the 109th Congress’ unsuccessful Digital Millennium Consumer Rights Act (DMCRA), seeks to restore the historical balance in copyright law and return many fair use rights to consumers, lost in the passing of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

“We understand and respect the careful balance that must exist between the rights of copyright owners and the rights of consumers of copyrighted material,” said Hal Halpin, president of the ECA. “We believe in the protection of intellectual property while maintaining consumers’ rights, and ability to lawfully use acquired media for non-commercial purposes. Additionally, digital rights issues should be subject to private sector inter-industry resolution rather than government imposed intervention.”

“The fair use doctrine is threatened today as never before.  Historically, the nation’s copyright laws have reflected a carefully calibrated balance between the rights of copyright owners and the rights of the users of copyrighted material.  We have introduced the FAIR USE Act to restore this balance, and correct the Fair Use disparities created by the DMCA.  I am thrilled to enlist the support of the ECA in this effort to ensure that consumers who purchase digital media can enjoy a broad range of uses of the media for their own convenience in a way which does not infringe the copyright in the work,” said U.S. Representative Rick Boucher. 

About the ECA
Formed in 2006, the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership organization established to serve the evolving needs of individuals who play computer and video games by giving their passion a voice. The ECA serves as an advocacy organization for the interactive entertainment consumers who represent nearly fifty percent of the population, have an average age of 33, and spend $10 billion a year on gaming. The ECA mission is to give gamers a voice and ensure that state and local politicians hear their concerns and appreciate their demographic power. The Connecticut-based organization focuses its advocacy efforts on consumer rights, anti-games legislation, and other public policy concerns as well as providing substantial community, educational, and affinity benefits to its members—from discounts on subscriptions and game rentals and purchases to education, employment assistance, and insider access to industry partners. http://www.theeca.com

CONTACT:
Jason Andersen
Director of Public Relations
jason@theeca.com
203.761.6188

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