May18, 1998

The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Chair, House Science Committee
2320 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Sensenbrenner:

I am writing to express the concerns of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general scientific society, with the plans of the House of Representatives to vote on H.R. 2652, "The Collection of Information Antipiracy Act," under the Suspension Calendar.  given the very serious problems with this bill that the scientific and engineering communities have identified and  communicated to you and other Members of  the House, we do not believe that H.R. 2652 is an appropriate candidate for consideration under the Suspension Calendar.

AAAS is on record as having raised several concerns with the approach taken by the bill and remains steadfast in its belief that further discussion is required before proceeding.  Its provisions have potentially severe consequences for the exchange of scientific data, the costs of doing research, the advancement of knowledge, and the economic benefits that result from research.

If upon continued reflection and debate the conclusion is that new protection for databases is needed, then the scientific community seeks a balanced and carefully framed approach that provides adequate protection for our members' work while also encouraging full and open access to scientific information.  AAAS is prepared to work with you and other Members of Congress as well as with various stakeholders who have been in the forefront of the debate on the bill in order to seek such a balance.  To do so, however, will require further opportunity to engage in a dialogue that would be short-cirucited if the H.R. 2652 is voted on under the Suspension Calendar.  For that reason, we respectfully request that you join with others on the House Science Committee in seeking to have the bill removed from such consideration.

Sincerely,

Albert H. Teich
Director

Copies of this letter were faxed under separate cover to:

Rep. Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
Rep. George Brown, Ranking Minority Member, House Science Committee
Members, House Science Committee
    Rep. Howard Coble, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
    Rep. Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., Chair, House Commerce Committee
    Rep. Rick Boucher, House Commerce Committee
    Rep. Tom Delay, Hose Majority Whip
Kerri Ann Jones, Acting Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
 

For more information about this letter and accompanying activities, please contact the Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law Program.