STREAMCAST NETWORKS OPPOSES CONGRESSMAN HOWARD L. BERMAN’S PROPOSAL CALLING FOR POSSE OF COPYRIGHT VIGILLANTES

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2002

Contact:

Berman’s Legislation is a Declaration of Cyber Warfare on Consumers;

StreamCast Makes Formal Invitation for Content Creators, Content Providers, Technology Companies and Consumers To Take Action on Finding Common Ground

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Franklin, TN., June 25, 2002 -- StreamCast Networks, provider of digital communications solutions and products, today announced that it vehemently opposes Congressman Howard L. Berman, D(CA-26), proposed legislation that he discussed at the Computer and Communications Industry Association that addresses peer-to-peer (P2P) networks (http://www.house.gov/berman/pressreleases.htm).

Berman’s proposed legislation calls for a myriad of measures including strong digital rights management, law suits by copyright owners, and prosecutions against the most egregious infringers. Additionally he calls for “technological self-help measures” including redirection, spoofing and file-blocking. However, in Berman’s remarks he stated that he is a “strong believer in the beneficial potential of P2P networks”. Additionally he recognized the significant uses of P2P networks, calling them a “revolutionary technology”.

“We appreciate recognition by Congressman Berman regarding the benefits of P2P networks, like the Morpheus User Network. But, StreamCast does not condone the hacking into consumers’ computers,” said Steve Griffin, CEO of StreamCast Networks. “Interdiction, decoys, redirection, file-blocking and spoofing are not self-help tools, they are subversive tactics to attack the very person that media companies are trying to market to, the consumer. There must be a balance between what is beneficial for all parties and we believe that the recommendation for these “technological self-help measures” is asking for a declaration of cyber warfare on the consumer.”

StreamCast Networks continues to urge and foster communication with the four stakeholders in this issue -- content holders, content creators, technology companies and most importantly consumers, to come together and find a solution that brings to bear the interests of all parties.

“The Congressman from Hollywood’s legislation is an appalling attack on consumer’s rights – it is an invitation to online-lawlessness. The government is supposed to arrest hackers, not encourage them,” said Ellen A. Stroud, Government Affairs Representative, StreamCast Networks. “Consumers want to directly connect with one another and share information in a peer-to-peer environment. StreamCast is working toward solutions with and for the four stakeholders. We invite representatives from each group to join us in that search.”

StreamCast Networks is an activist in the advancement of P2P technology products and digital packaging and commerce solutions. StreamCast is revolutionizing Internet digital media distribution and communications enabling users to directly communicate with one another more efficiently and with unprecedented scale. An increasing number of businesses and customers are embracing distributed computing as a viable method for buying, selling and distributing goods and services.

About StreamCast Networks, Inc.
StreamCast Networks, Inc., creators of the Morpheus software product, is a digital communications solutions provider that is revolutionizing Internet digital media distribution and communications via a unique software-driven solution that enables users to communicate directly with one another more efficiently on an unprecedented scale. StreamCast Networks is backed by Timberline Venture Partners, the independently managed Northwest affiliate of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, as well as angel investors. StreamCast Networks, Inc. operates the MusicCity.com website, which distributes the Morpheus software product. StreamCast Networks is based in Franklin, TN with offices in Phoenix, AZ. For more information about StreamCast and its flagship product Morpheus, please visit streamcastnetworks.com.

 

 

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