Political Quotes

“Mr. President I am proud to support the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998 which I believe is an important step in the evolution of international digital commerce. The DMCA accomplishes two important goals--it implements the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty and the World Intellectual Property Organization Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Both treaties include provisions that respond to the challenges of digital technology. Although the treaties contain little that is not already covered by U.S. law, the treaties will provide U.S. copyright holders the worldwide protections they need and deserve. In addition, the treaties will go along way towards standardizing international copyright practice. Intellectual property, including copyright, is an integral part of the U.S. economy. The core copyright industries accounted for $238.6 billion in value added to the U.S. economy, accounting for approximately 3.74 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. In addition, between 1977 and 1993, employment in the core copyright industries doubled to 3 million workers, about 2.5 percent of total U.S. employment. The copyright industries contribute more to the U.S. economy and employ more workers than any single manufacturing sector including aircraft, textiles and apparels or chemicals. Intellectual property is a particularly integral part of the economy of my home state of California.”