IPAC (Intellectual Property Action Committee) has announced a plan to get a 30GB video iPod into the hands of each member of Congress. The devices will be engraved with the words "Listen to the people" and will be pre-loaded with "example of the cultural richness made possible by sharing and collaboration -- public domain content, Creative Commons content and audio messages about the importance of balanced copyright policy," the organization said on its Web site.

IPAC is taking donations for the project now. It said that it was inspired by an elderly senator from Alaska who said last week that his daughter had bought him an iPod. "Suddenly Senator Stevens had a much greater understanding of the many ways innovative technology can create choice for consumers," IPAC said on its site.

Senator Stevens chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which has been considering MPAA and RIAA proposals "that would stifle innovations by giving content holders a virtual veto over new technologies and existing user rights," IPAC explained.

Reporting on IPAC's plans, Ars Technica mused: "Assuming that the campaign actually works and all, or at least most, senators do eventually end up with an iPod from IPac and its readers, will the overall goal work? Who really knows, but maybe the educational value of consumer choice and rights is worth a donation?"