WASHINGTON -- A computer industry trade group has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission claiming that the familiar copyright warning shown before movies and during sports broadcasts misleads consumers by misrepresenting their rights under the nation's copyright laws.
In the complaint filed Wednesday, the Computer & Communications Industry Assn. -- a group that includes Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. -- alleges a nationwide pattern of unfair and deceptive trade practices by misrepresenting consumer rights under copyright law, often threatening criminal and civil penalties against consumers who choose to exercise their rights. These false representations violate the letter and spirit of the FTC Act's prohibition against unfair or deceptive practices in commerce, the group says.
"Such tactics represent an assault on free expression and force consumers to continually forgo lawful activities to which they are entitled under federal law and the Constitution," CCIA president and CEO Ed Black.
Unresolved copyright issues are more important than ever to digital media companies because they could hinder the growth of online video-sharing Web sites like YouTube.
In the complaint filed Wednesday, the Computer & Communications Industry Assn. -- a group that includes Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. -- alleges a nationwide pattern of unfair and deceptive trade practices by misrepresenting consumer rights under copyright law, often threatening criminal and civil penalties against consumers who choose to exercise their rights. These false representations violate the letter and spirit of the FTC Act's prohibition against unfair or deceptive practices in commerce, the group says.
"Such tactics represent an assault on free expression and force consumers to continually forgo lawful activities to which they are entitled under federal law and the Constitution," CCIA president and CEO Ed Black.
Unresolved copyright issues are more important than ever to digital media companies because they could hinder the growth of online video-sharing Web sites like YouTube.
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