Obama Stocking DOJ With RIAA LawyersThe more things change, the more they stay the same...
(
old news - 02:12PM Thursday Feb 05 2009)
tags: legal · Fileswapping · business · troubleTechdirt,
CNET and
Slashdot all note that the new Obama Justice Department is looking increasingly like a RIAA/MPAA reunion, with a flood of ex-industry lawyers now stocking the DOJ shelves. In addition to Obama's RIAA-friendly VP pick, Obama has hired several of the of the RIAA & MPAA's top lawyers (Tom Perrelli, Donald Verrilli), and the BSA's anti-piracy enforcer (Neil MacBride). Assuming he adheres to them, Obama's own rules would prohibit these gentlemen from working on issues where they've represented the entertainment industry. Still, it's not exactly a comforting development for those who wanted more progressive leadership when it comes to copyright.