We see opportunities to break through barriers previously facing those living in rural settings and those with physical disabilities. Democratic values can be served by making more information and services available. Technological developments, such as the development of the Internet and remote computer information databases, are leading to important advancements in accessibility and affordability of art, literature, music, film, information and services for all Americans. Properly balancing copyright interests to encourage and reward creativity, while serving the needs of public access is the challenge. Historically, the government's role has been to encourage creativity and innovation by protecting copyrights that create incentives for the dissemination to the public of new works and forms of expression.
Intellectual property can, at times, be arcane and abstract.
But these matters have very real and important consequences to the American economy and creative spirit, and the viability of industries that produce everything from movies to records to books to software depends on it. That means that the American people are depending on us to put partisan differences aside. We may not make headline news by working on WIPO implementing legislation, but we will help create American jobs.