WASHINGTON, D.C.—David Hirschmann, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center, released the following statement today commending the Senate Judiciary Committee’s unanimous passage of the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act (S. 968).

“Today’s decisive action by the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the PROTECT IP Act sends a clear message that rogue sites—those devoted to the sale of counterfeit goods or distribution of pirated content—have no place in the legitimate marketplace. We commend Chairman Leahy and the committee for taking a firm stance in defense of American jobs, consumer safety, and a vibrant Internet.

“Rogue sites and their operators contribute nothing to the U.S. economy. They do not innovate, they do not pay taxes, they do not follow safety standards, and they do not follow the law. Today’s vote serves as a wakeup call to those who illicitly profit at the expense of American businesses and consumers—the U.S. will not tolerate your careless, reckless, malicious behavior.

“The GIPC stands shoulder-to-shoulder with labor and business organizations in looking forward to working with Congress to enact rogue sites legislation this year.”

The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) rights as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.