November 12, 2008

By By Chris M. Walsh

The judge who presided over the case that shut down the original Napster proposed Monday to reform copyright for the digital age. Judge Miriam Hall Patel, according to Wired, recommended creating a new public/private organization with authority over the licensing and enforcement of copyright.

"There needs to be a comprehensive revision of the provisions that relate to the administration of copyright licensing, royalties and enforcement," Patel said in a speech at Fordham. "I propose that a joint public/private administrative body made up of representatives of all competing interest, including the public, be established and authorized to, among other powers, issue licenses; negotiate, set and administer royalties; and adopt rules and regulations to carry out these purposes."

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