(Calif.) lawmakers weigh anti-piracy bill to allow warrantless searches of CD and DVD makers

Source: Los Angeles Times

Frustrated for years by rampant piracy, the recording industry is pushing California's lawmakers to approve legislation that would allow warrantless searches of companies that press copies of compact discs and DVDs.

The Recording Industry Assn. of America, in effect, wants to give law enforcement officials the power to enter manufacturing plants without notice or court orders to check that discs are legitimate and carry legally required identification marks.

The proposal by state Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) is raising questions among U.S. constitutional law scholars as it quietly moves through the Legislature.

... To date, the measure has sailed through two state Senate committees, one unanimously and one by a 5-2 vote. Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) said he voted no because of "constitutional concerns." The bill goes to a final committee hearing Monday, then to the Senate floor. If it passes, it goes to the Assembly.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-piracy-searches-20110518,0,961223.story

to really put the conservative judges feet to the fire to test if they truly believe in the constitution or not, we shall just have to wait and see what happens assuming of course it passes.

over and over and over?

When Roberts has the choice of constitution or corporation, Im pretty sure we know exactly where he comes down.

When will we be told to keep our doors unlock so they don't have to break it in?

Jesus.

This is laziness on the party of the police.

And -- this encourages abuses of authority by the police.

There are just too many excuses for breaking and entering by police officers. And that is basically what it is when police officers don't get a warrant.

Another symptom of the horrible corruption in our system.

The crimes that are being committed are not serious enough to justify warrantless searches. A little sleuthing and the officers could do this properly.

This is another blow to our Constitution -- and just to protect the intellectual property interests of big corporations. No. No. No.

Investigate, stake-out the location as necessary, gather evidence, show cause and present to a judge for a warrant. Then conduct the raid.

They've gone warrantless for terror where they believe time is of the essence and life may be in danger. I still disagree with warrantless in those cases, but at least I see what they're going for.

I see no reason to up the ante from warrant to warrantless for DVD pirating operations.

The entertainment industry is out of control. Google various forms of search terms "online piracy law copyright" and you'll see several news stories of recent legislation - state and federal - that are giving authorities unprecedented power to enforce copyright infringement and digital piracy. They're increasing penalties, requiring hosts and providers to police their systems for piracy and - as in the case of the Padilla story - seeking police powers that are extraordinarily out of proportion to that of other crimes. One set of interests is buying the power of the state to protect their little corner of the universe with a vengeance.

Pretty soon, a 14-year old downloading a song illegally will get more prison time than a fraudulent mortgage lender who's bilked the public out of billions.

WAIT....we have that now. Hmmmm.

The must feel that they have totally screwed the People(real persons) and now are looking for bigger game.

mega and gigabytes being pressed?

We are so done.

to break the 65 mph speed limit. Go after the technology, not the people who use it.

They want those profits by hook or by crook.

It just doesn't stop..... :(

this is the kind of bullshit they spend their time and our money on.

Where are the teabaggers now? I don't hear a peep from them.

The cognitive dissonence is astounding.

About 10-20 years too late!!!

And I'd be naive if I didn't think that was the whole point.

The Big Nanny Brother State..

and now a DEMOCRAT wants police to be able to seize pirated material without a warrant? Senator Padilla, change your party ID NOW.