[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 141 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCING THE DATABASE AND COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION 
                          MISAPPROPRIATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 2003

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, two and one-half years ago, Chairman 
Sensenbrenner and I agreed to work collectively to produce a database 
protection bill. Previous attempts at producing legislation resulted in 
various stalemates between the two Committees. When I took the gavel at 
Energy and Commerce and Chairman Sensenbrenner took over at the 
Judiciary Committee, we decided we would work through this issue in a 
different way. It has been a long process--it was no easy chore 
harmonizing a Judiciary-favored copyright approach and a Commerce-
favored misappropriation approach.
  The two Committees have worked amicably towards the bill we are 
introducing today. This is a credit to the members on both Committees, 
and I have been delighted to see the cooperation and respect between 
our two Committees grow over the last few years. I would like to 
commend Chairman Sensenbrenner, in particular, for his leadership and 
commitment through this process.
  This bill is one of compromise. Through the course of the 
negotiations, I won some issues and lost some issues. As we move 
forward in the legislative process, I will continue to invest time and 
effort to improve the legislation and ensure my lingering concerns are 
addressed. In doing so, my focus will remain on protecting the free 
flow of information so important to our information economy. I look 
forward to working with the Judiciary Committee, my colleagues on the 
Energy and Commerce Committee, and all interested parties to improve 
this legislation.

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