2008-03-12T15:30:10Z opencongress.org tag:opencongress.org,2007:/bill/comments/45720 2008-03-12T15:30:10Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-12:/comment/2874 adelie Is there any reason why this can't be an extension of patent law? It is important that the scope of copyright is maintained and that there continues to be clear rules between copyright and patent. If there is a concern for 'uniquely identifying a product or service' authenticity, use a trademark. That is what trademark law is for. Are they really going to try to argue that name branding hasn't a positive impact on the sale of high end fashion items? The law is already there to protect them. Vote NO! 2008-03-12T15:46:19Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-12:/comment/2877 adelie After reading the fashion design blog, I had some other thoughts: As mentioned in the article, it is easy to tell a knock off from the original. Is there really so many problems with this 'piracy' that people don't want the newest trendy thing because it looks like the knockoff everyone else wears? I don't think so. Trademark law protects designers and consumers from these plagiarized works by uniquely allowing them to mark them in a way that will distinguish them. People know and respect Prada for their innovative and classy designs, with their superior craftsmanship, and it can't be mistake for the $10 slave labor knockoff. If people are copying their trademark, then there is STRONG legal protection that already lasts forever. A 3 year 'special' copyright would distort the intended scope of copyright (USC 17 SEC 102), and set a bad precedent, despite the understandably good intentions of the CFDA.