Senate Concurrent Resolution 568

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WORK TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

WHEREAS, the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution states "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation"; and

WHEREAS, Kelo vs. the City of New London gave local governments and municipalities the power to seize private property for private enterprises in order to increase tax revenue and stimulate economic development, not for any public use or purpose; and

WHEREAS, this interpretation of the eminent domain power infringes upon the most fundamental of rights and endangers property owners across the nation; and

WHEREAS, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states "Congress shall have the power to...promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries"; and

WHEREAS, the exclusive right of authors and inventors to their intellectual property is being subjected to increasing infringement and threats of infringement by both public and private entities, ranging from global piracy to illegal sharing of content files on college campuses to governmental abrogation; and

WHEREAS, state legislatures have the duty to limit both public and private infringements of private entities' rights to the use and enjoyment of physical and intellectual property on matters within the authority of the legislatures, and to oppose such violations on matters without their authority; and

WHEREAS, that governmental takings of either physical or intellectual property for nonpublic uses or purposes, and governmental abrogation of physical or intellectual property rights without compensation, and illegal use of physical or intellectual property by private entities, are violations of the fundamental rights of the owners of physical and intellectual property:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Legislature of the State of Mississippi work to restore, protect and enhance intellectual and physical property rights by reviewing present law and pending legislation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we hereby instruct the Senate and House of Representatives to restore, protect and enhance intellectual and physical property rights in present federal law, pending federal legislation and all trade agreements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the State of Mississippi's Congressional Delegation and the President of the United States, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.