Webster's Dictionary defines Mocha as "A coffee of superior quality." Just like it's namesake the MOCA (Music Online Competition Act) introduced a few days ago by Congressman Rick Boucher of Virginia, and Congressman Chris Cannon of Utah, threatens to bring some long lacking quality and fairness to the current copyright laws (namely the Digital Millennium Copyright Act) with a balance that has been sorely lacking since 1998.

Of course, Hilary Rosen, the RIAA dictator, immediately came out against the bill. Using her usual barrage of negative terms she described the bill as "an attempt to regulate the internet", and "a solution in search of a problem" and all but threatened a legislative fight saying "A protracted legislative fight will not move us closer to where the music industry wants to be". In addition she stated that this was a pitch for a mandatory license. Rep. Cannon responded "Let me take a moment to respond to criticism we have already heard from the Recording Industry Association about this bill - criticism they offered even before they saw the final version of the legislation. RIAA has said that MOCA contains a compulsory license for performance rights. That is just not true.

Well, Ms. Rosen, nobody cares where the industry wants to be. At least you didn't mention artists this time since they stand to benefit greatly by this bill. (Part of the proposed bill will have royalties for webcasting paid directly to the artists, rather than the labels, so that the artist doesn't have to wait for the labels to "cook the books" before they get their fair share. So you are publicly stating that your are anti artist Ms. Rosen? Sure sounds like it.

What is wrong with fairness? Absolutely nothing. This bill doesn't call for the legalization of file-sharing, doesn't call for censorship on the artists, doesn't call for labeling of recordings, hell it doesn't even say that you have to stop trying to buy the laws you want. (which we already know you try on a regular basis), I suggest that you read the summary listed below as to what it really means.

Think about it Hilary, you've alienated the consumers, publishers, and now the artists. Who Next?