Fair Use Devotees Fearful as Hollywood-Backed Berman Is Set To Helm Key Congressional Sub-Committee

Rep. Berman's honesty has never been credibly questions. Yet a pattern of polticial contributions exist that are illustrative of who some of his backers are,

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Berman, who first came to Congress in 1983,  has received more than $1.1 million in contributions from employee and political action committees representing television, motion picture and recording companies.

Whether or not you like Howard Berman depends more than a little about where you come from - not only geographically but in relation to digital copyright matters.

"There's two problems with Howard Berman," John Palafoutas, the chief lobbyist for AeA, (formerly the American Electronics Association) a high-tech trade group that prefers fewer government restrictions on digital information, tells the Los Angeles Times. "One, he's really smart. And two, he knows how to represent his constituents, which in this case is Hollywood."

But Hollywood spreads the love.

"He's a huge asset," John Feehery, executive vice president of external affairs for the Motion Picture Assn. of America," also told the LA Times. "He's somebody who understands the importance of our industry to the overall economy and understands the importance of strong copyright laws to protect and promote our industry."