[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1-E2]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INTRODUCTION OF THE ``PRO USE ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the introduction 
of the ``PRO USE Act.'' As we all know, copyrighted works not only 
provide entertainment and provide a positive trade balance for our 
country's economy but also are a window to this country's cultural 
heritage. In recognition of this, our copyright laws are designed to 
encourage the production, distribution, and preservation of copyrighted 
content. This legislation, which I am introducing with Representative 
Howard L. Berman, makes two important changes to the

[[Page E2]]

copyright law to make it easier to preserve these artifacts.
  Title I is the ``Preservation of Orphan Works Act.'' This important 
provision corrects an oversight in the copyright law that allows 
libraries and archives to reproduce and distribute up to three copies 
of musical works, movies, etc.--not sound recordings--of a copy they 
have to replace stolen/deteriorated copies or for preservation/security 
purposes. They also can make unlimited copies of other copyrighted 
works--items except musical works, movies, etc.--during the last 20 
years of the copyright term. This bill would amend the law to say they 
can make unlimited copies of musical works, movies, etc. during the 
last 20 years of the term of the music or movies.
  Title II is the ``National Film Preservation Act of 2005.'' It 
reauthorizes the National Film Preservation Act of 1996. We all know 
that motion pictures are amongst this nation's cultural treasures, 
going beyond entertainment to represent American ideals and values to 
people across the world. Unfortunately, the films on which many motion 
pictures are created are easily susceptible to physical deterioration; 
in fact, over 50 percent of movies made before 1950 have deteriorated 
and over 90 percent of movies from before 1929 have disintegrated.
  The 1996 Act was designed to ensure that we could protect the 
treasures we still have. It created the National Film Preservation 
Board and the National Film Preservation Foundation. The NFPB generates 
public awareness of a national film registry and reviews initiatives to 
ensure the preservation valued films. The NFPF issues grants to 
libraries and other institutions that can save films from degradation.
  The program has received accolades from organizations such as the 
Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and 
Sciences. Noted filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Ken Burns also have 
praised the NFPB and the NFPF.
  Unfortunately, the program officially expired October 11, 2003, and 
was not reauthorized. The legislation being introduced today would 
remedy that oversight by reauthorizing both the NFPB and the NFPF. I 
hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this valuable effort as 
we move it through the House.

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