Rogue Sites Legislation
Rogue sites—those websites dedicated to the theft of IP through trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy—cost the American economy billions of dollars, deprive American creators of their livelihoods, and pose serious health and safety risks to consumers. From fake pharmaceuticals that kill to the theft of movies and music that put people out of work and expose consumers to identity theft and malicious viruses, these sites break the law and prey on unsuspecting consumers.
The bipartisan Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act, or PROTECT IP Act, (S.968) was introduced in the U.S. Senate on May 12, 2011 by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and 11 cosponsors. This legislation would provide the Department of Justice (DOJ) with an expedited process to cut off websites that are dedicated to selling counterfeit goods and/or pirating copyrighted materials and is similar to the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (S.3804), introduced last Congress by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT).
Following introduction of the PROTECT IP Act, Reps. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), and Howard Berman(D-CA), along with 8 other cosponsors, introduced H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act in the House of Representatives on October 26, 2011. The Stop Online Piracy Act ensures that law enforcement and job creators have the necessary tools to protect American intellectual property from cyber-based counterfeiting and piracy.
The CACP will continue to press Congress to enact rogue sites legislation this year. Learn more about the CACP’s efforts at www.fightonlinetheft.com.
