WASHINGTON D.C. — Should copyright law stop you from unlocking your cell phone? Join TechFreedom and the Competitive Enterprise Institute on June 17 at noon for a Capitol Hill luncheon discussion on cell phone unlocking and the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA). The event will also be livestreamed.

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai will kick off the event. His recent commentary in The New York Times (“Don’t Treat Consumers Like Criminals”) sparked fresh debate on the issue.

Following Commissioner Pai’s remarks, TechFreedom President Berin Szoka (@BerinSzoka) will moderate a panel featuring several experts in copyright and technology policy, including:

Jerry Brito, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University (@JerryBrito)

Chris Lewis, Director of Government Relations, Public Knowledge (@ChrisJ_Lewis)

Ryan Radia, Associate Director of Technology Studies, Competitive Enterprise Institute (@RyanRadia)

Larry Spiwak, President, Phoenix Center (@Lawrence_Spiwak)

The panel will discuss a host of issues stemming from the Librarian of Congress’ recent decision to end a DMCA exemption permitting the unlocking of mobile devices so that, for example, consumers could transfer their phone from one carrier to another. Should Congress restore the exemption, which existed from 2006 to 2012? Should Congress revisit the DMCA’s anti-circumvention provisions or the process for granting and renewing extensions? What about U.S. treaty obligations? Is cell phone unlocking a one-off issue, or a bellwether for future copyright debates?

Join the conversation on Twitter using #Unlocking.

>> Space is limited, so if you plan to attend in person, please RSVP.

Lunch will be provided.

 

When:

Monday, June 17, 2013

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

 

Where:

The Methodist Building (TechFreedom’s new offices)

100 Maryland Ave NE (facing the Capitol building on 1st St)

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