House of Representatives passes new copyright law

The US House of Representatives passed the Pro-IP bill by a large majority on Thursday. The law is intended to strengthen the protection of intellectual property and was passed with 410 votes in favor and 10 votes against.

Earlier this year, the law, in full Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property, was stripped of its most controversial part, namely that the lump-sum damages that could be claimed for copyright infringement would apply per song rather than per work. Under current law, a maximum of $150,000 in damages can be claimed for an illegal CD, which would be increased to $150,000 per song. Due to the large amount of criticism this provision was deleted.

For the rest, the law has remained unchanged. When it takes effect, federal agents will be able to seize all items used in copyright infringement. Goods purchased with the proceeds of piracy may also be seized. The law also provides that a separate copyright department with its own leader will be established at the Department of Justice. The ministry is not too happy about this, because it fears that its authority will be eroded. It is therefore not yet certain whether the president will support the law in its current form.

In any case, the rights holders are strongly in favor of it. MPAA Chairman Dan Glickman praised MPs for passing the bill, and expressed hope that Senate adoption will be just as smooth as message Ars Technica. Consumer and civil court organizations are much less positive. According to the EFF, setting up a separate copyright department with its own leader is simply a waste of money. Also spoke the organization expressed concern that the hefty fines and seizures could be used not only against commercial pirates, but also ordinary citizens.