SBC, VERIZON COUNTERPUNCH IN BATTLE OVER USER PRIVACY

摘要

What started out as a simple lawsuit over the identity of a single DSL customer has turned into legal and legislative bloodsport in Washington, D.C. On the heels of 261 lawsuits filed earlier this month against alleged music pirates, Verizon Communications and SBC Communications last week testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, defending their right to protect users' privacy. For all the amicus briefs, testimony, lawsuits and counter-suits, the argument boils down to one thing: The telecom industry wants to overturn a provision in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that gives the music industry unparalleled subpoena power. The Commerce Committee is now considering a bill introduced by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., that would repeal those powers. And the music industry's champion, the Recording Industry Association of America, is trying hard to keep them intact.