[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 22159]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    DATABASE PROTECTION LEGISLATION

  (Mr. COBLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, this will now be the third Congress in which 
legislation protecting databases has failed to become law. Over the 
past years, the opponents of such legislation have done all they can to 
prevent legislation from moving forward and maintain the status quo so 
they may pirate the work of others due to the current gap in 
protection. They first claimed there was no need for legislation. Then 
subsequently, they admitted there was, in fact, a need as long as they 
could get a carve-out for themselves.
  How selfishly convenient. This issue will not go away. Now, more than 
ever, America's database producers need sufficient protection to ensure 
the continued investment in developing these information products. 
Their vulnerability remains as the pirates still sail without fear.
  Rest assured, Mr. Speaker, I will do everything I can next session to 
finally pass legislation which benefits database producers and, 
therefore, benefits American consumers. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to 
express thanks to the many people who worked tirelessly to promote this 
legislation.

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