taler-merchant-demos

stophr3028.html (8879B)

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 <title>Stop H.R. 3028
 - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
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 <h2>Stop H.R. 3028 - Protect the Net - Stop the Trademark Monopolists</h2>
 
 <address class="byline">by Marc Rotenberg &lt;<a
 href="mailto:rotenberg@epic.org">rotenberg@epic.org</a>&gt;</address>
 
 <blockquote class="foreword">
 <p>
    This bill fits a pattern: every time Congress wants to create a new
    monopoly covering some activity formerly open to all, or extend and
    increase an old monopoly, they apply the term &ldquo;piracy&rdquo;
    to the free activity that the monopoly will stamp out.  So whenever
    you see anything described as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; aside from the
    capturing of ships, watch out for your liberties!</p>
    <p>&mdash;<i>Richard&nbsp;Stallman</i>
 </p>
 </blockquote>
 
 <p><em>More information is available by following the links at the end of
 this page.</em></p>
 
 <h3>Urgent</h3>
 
 <p>
         The House of Representatives is about to vote on legislation
         that would grant sweeping new powers for trademark holders and
         undermine the rights of domain name holders, Internet users,
         and small businesses.  H.R. 3028 &ldquo;The Trademark
         Cyberpiracy Prevention Act of 1999&rdquo; will also establish
         unprecedented ability for trademark holders to sue Internet
         users all around the world.  And H.R. 32028 will undermine a
         fair and carefully crafted international consensus on the
         resolution of Internet name disputes.  It's a bad bill and it
         should be stopped.</p>
 <p>
          The House of Representatives may vote on H.R. 3028 as early as
         Tuesday, October 26, 1999.</p>
 
 <h3>You Need To Act</h3>
 
 <p>
         There is a chance to stop HR 3028. It has very few sponsors
         and has moved quietly through Congress, mostly under the radar
         of organizations and businesses that have worked to promote
         the growth of the Internet.  Also, Congress will soon break
         for Thanksgiving.</p>
 <p>
         But you have to act!</p>
 
 <h3>What You Can Do</h3>
 
 <p>
         It is vitally important for you to contact your Representative
         in Congress and explain politely but firmly that you hope that
         your Representative will VOTE AGAINST H.R. 3028.</p>
 <p>
       Here is a quick guide to Calling Your Congressman.</p>
 
 <ol>
   <li>Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard (202-224-3121) and
        ask to speak to your Congressman. (Don't know who your
        Congressman is? Ok, go <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080611003520/https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml">here</a> [archived]).</li>
 
   <li>When you reach the office say to the person who answers
        the phone:<p>
 
        &ldquo;Hello, I'm a registered voter in the district of
        Congressman &lt;name&gt;. I'm calling because I hope he/she
        will vote against H.R. 3028, &lsquo;The Cyberpiracy Act.&rsquo;
        I don't like cyberpirates, but I believe this bill will hurt
        ALL domain name holders on the Internet, including small
        businesses, noncommercial organizations and individuals.  Will
        you please tell the Congressman that I asked him/her to vote
        against H.R. 3028?  Thanks.&rdquo;</p>
 
         <p>Here are all the things you just did in 30 seconds:</p>
        <ul>
 	 <li>You made clear that you're a voter in the Congressman's
 	      District (they'll listen to you!)</li>
 	 <li>You said clearly that you are against a bill and you gave
 	      the bill number and the title of the bill (it's important to
 	      give both!)</li>
 	 <li>You gave the Congressman a good reason to vote against
 	      H.R. 3028 (Members of Congress like good reasons for votes)</li>
 	 <li>You asked for a commitment to convey your position to the
 	      Congressman (you want to be taken seriously)</li>
 	 <li>You were polite (always a plus)</li>
 	 <li>If you leave your name and address, that will make your call
 	      even more effective (you might even get a letter)</li>
        </ul>
   </li>
 
   <li>If you like, you can also send an email to your Representative
        with a new service offered at the House web site&mdash;check
        <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080611003520/https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml">here</a> [archived].</li>
 
   <li>If you're still energized to do something, ask a friend or
        neighbor who also lives in your district to make the same
        call. You can also call the office of the Chairman of the
        Rules Committee Congressman David Dreier and tell his
        staffperson that you oppose H.R. 3028 and hope that Mr.
        Dreier will put off a vote on the bill until the problems
        are fixed.</li>
 
   <li>If you want to learn more about the problems with H.R. 3028,
        look at the excellent letter from computer users and legal
        experts. Also, visit Thomas and check out the bill and the
        history.</li>
 </ol>
 
 <h3>Relevant Information</h3>
 
 <ul>
   <li><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/3028">
     Information about H.R. 3028, including the Text of the bill</a></li>
   <li><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/help/dndr/udrp-en">
     Information about the ICANN Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy</a></li>
   <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20000815221026/http://www.acm.org/usacm/trademark.html">
        Letter from ACM, Legal Experts on Problems with H.R. 3028</a></li>
 </ul>
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 <p class="unprintable">Updated:
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