Going Rogue is No Longer En Vogue
Today, Senator Leahy and nine other Senators introduced the PROTECT IP Act, legislation that will crack down on websites dedicated to online piracy and counterfeiting. This measure will provide an enhanced legal tool against “rogue sites,” which steal American jobs and threaten consumers’ health and safety.
Websites dedicated to trafficking counterfeit products and digital theft dupe consumers, steal our jobs, and threaten the vibrant Internet marketplace. We commend Senator Leahy and the bill’s cosponsors for introducing this critical legislation to address the growing threats of counterfeiting and piracy over the Internet. Addressing this problem is a win-win-win:
The bipartisan PROTECT IP Act is sponsored by Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Herb Kohl (D-WI). America’s IP industries account for more than $7.7 trillion of the U.S. GDP, drive 60% of U.S. exports, and employ more than 19 million Americans.
We cannot continue to allow criminals to run these enterprises at the expense of hardworking Americans, the entrepreneurs that start businesses, and those that bring their creative ideas to life.
The Internet, like all marketplaces, needs rules to protect people from fraud and theft. The PROTECT IP Act is a balanced approach that will help crack down on truly rogue sites while facilitating the continued growth of the Internet as a safe, vibrant marketplace. The Chamber looks forward to working with Congressional leadership throughout the legislative process to support the passage of a bill that will effectively deal with this growing problem.
For more information on this legislation and the campaign against online theft, please visit www.fightonlinetheft.com.
