Amusing Observations From The House IP Hearing
The House Judiciary Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee held a pretty lively hearing on Thursday on a new bill that would boost U.S. intellectual property enforcement efforts.
The bill, sponsored by full committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., has been cheered by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and many industries that rely on IP -- but some folks still have major concerns. Read Technology Daily's PM Edition for more details.
Several amusing occurrences worth mentioning:
At the start of the hearing, Chairman Howard Berman, D-Calif., said he couldn’t bang the gavel because it was missing. Does this warrant an all-points-bulletin on the committee's missing mallet?
A few members remarked on the lengthy title of the bill -- the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act." Staffers love acronyms and the "PRO-IP Act" is no exception.
California Democrat Brad Sherman showed his enthusiasm for moving the bill forward by quoting, oddly enough, redneck comedian Larry the Cable Guy. His motto is "get 'er done."
Full committee ranking Republican Lamar Smith chose a more academic quote. The Texan referenced Charles Duell, the U.S. patent commissioner in 1899, who said: "Everything that can be invented has been invented." A century later, "it is abundantly clear that he was wrong."
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