HILL BRIEFS

House Passes IP Enforcement Bill

Thu. May 8, 2008


Judiciary. Legislation aimed at enhancing U.S. intellectual property enforcement was passed in the House today, 410-11, one week after it was approved by the House Judiciary Committee. The bill, sponsored by Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and ranking member Lamar Smith, would boost penalties for piracy and counterfeiting, particularly for repeat offenders, and establish a high-level IP czar to oversee domestic and international IP enforcement issues. Justice Department officials expressed concerns with portions of the bill that they believed would lessen the effectiveness of current IP initiatives. But Smith called the vote "a step in the right direction for IP enforcement and the economy" and urged the Senate to act quickly on a companion measure. Several Senate bills have been introduced this Congress but they differ substantially from the House legislation. The Copyright Alliance, which represents entertainment, media and high-tech companies, lauded the passage. U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue also praised the bill. In a statement, Donohue said it would "ensure America's innovation industries continue creating jobs and crossing new scientific and technological frontiers," while the bill's penalties "send an important message that IP theft will not be tolerated."