Government Was Very Involved Helping RIAA/MPAA Negotiate Six Strikes
Found on Techdirt on Saturday, 15 October 2011
From the moment the so-called "voluntary" six strikes agreement between the RIAA/MPAA and various ISPs came out, it was obvious that the Obama administration, in the form of VP Joe Biden's office and IP Czar Victoria Espinel, were involved.
Both of those organizations were regularly in touch with the administration, including planning about how the deal was going to be announced.
It was clear from the beginning that the White House was heavily involved, and was very much backing the entertainment industry's viewpoint. In theory, the government should be representing the people, but the cozy nature of the relationship suggests it was exactly the opposite. The government was representing industry against the public interest.
This shouldn't really surprise anyone. The industry has lobbyists and very deep pockets; and the people have to pay their taxes anyway, no matter if you work for them or not.