Senators, tech leaders talk web piracy

WASHINGTON - Senators told arguing technology and entertainment leaders Thursday that the government would step in if they cannot settle differences over how to stop Internet pirates. <br> <br> A Senate hearing explored the role of piracy in the slow development of digital television and the disappointing use of high-speed broadband Internet. <br> <br> ``There is not a lot of content available because the owners of the content are afraid of piracy,&#39;&#39; said Sen. Ernest Hollings, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. <br> <br> Since 1995, executives from the entertainment, technology and consumer electronics industries have tried to resolve their matter. The entertainment industry claims technology companies are reluctant to develop anti-piracy hardware because it would limit what is available to their customers. <br> <br> Walt Disney Co. chief executive Michael Eisner said computer companies advertise the ease of using their products to copy music and movies. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s hard to negotiate with an industry whose growth, short-term growth, is dependent upon pirated content,&#39;&#39; Eisner said. <br> <br> ``If we don&#39;t protect content on the Internet, it will kill the entertainment business,&#39;&#39; he said, urging Congress to set a deadline as a way to spur an agreement. <br> <br> Hollings, D-S.C., is working on a plan that would impose a deadline by which the government would choose the best way to protect copyright materials if private sector groups cannot agree. <br> <br> Representatives of computer hardware and software makers and the consumer electronics industry said a government solution would raise privacy concerns, unduly infringe on consumers&#39; ability to make copies for home use and stifle technological innovation. <br> <br> ``It will create irreparable damage,&#39;&#39; said Leslie Vadasz, an Intel Corp. vice president. <br> <br> Vadasz accused the entertainment industry of being afraid of technological advances. He said movie executives feared development of the videocassette recorder a generation ago. Last year, sales and rentals of videocassettes exceeded box office receipts by more than $2 billion, he said. <br> <br> Vadasz said technology exists to prevent most material from being stolen, but said Hollywood wants more control over consumers. <br> <br> Leaders of nine computer companies have written their entertainment counterparts to say they should cooperate in reaching a solution.