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CEA Warns Against Collateral Damage to Innovation From SOPA

"CEA supports strong measures against foreign 'rogue' websites dedicated to infringement. But any legislative approach must target bad actors without ensnaring legitimate companies, and impose effective sanctions. SOPA, as written, fails on both counts.

"Instead, the bill attempts a radical restructuring of the laws governing the Internet. It would undo the legal safe harbors that have allowed a world-leading Internet industry to flourish over the last decade. It would expose legitimate American businesses and innovators to broad and open-ended liability. The result will be more lawsuits, decreased venture capital investment, and fewer new jobs.

"The significant potential harms of this bill are reflected by the extraordinary coalition arrayed against it. Concerns about SOPA have been raised by Tea Partiers, progressives, computer scientists, human rights advocates, venture capitalists, law professors, independent musicians, and many more. Unfortunately, these voices were not heard at today's hearing.

"The technology industry is driving the American economy and providing the high wage jobs of the future. Rather than inflicting collateral damage on legitimate innovators, we urge the proponents of this bill to work with us on narrow, targeted ways to address foreign infringing websites."

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES - The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed, http://blog.ce.org/.

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• CES Unveiled @ London
  November 17, 2011, London, UK

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  November 18, 2011, New York, NY

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  January 10-13, 2012, Las Vegas, NV

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Tim Doyle, 703-907-4322
tdoyle@CE.org
CE.org
or
Megan Pollock, 703-907-7668
mpollock@CE.org