U.S. House of Representatives Passes Copyright Enforcement Bill

by Janette Spencer-Davis, Legal Editor, CCH Copyright Law Reports   

 On May 8, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4279, the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (Pro-IP) Act of 2008," by an overwhelming majority. The stated purpose of the bill is "to enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws." Pursuant to the bill, a new Office of Intellectual Property Enforcement representative or "copyright czar" would be created in the White House, and law enforcement agencies would be given grants to fight computer crimes. The bill would also allow both civil and criminal forfeitures of property used to commit copyright infringement. The legislation was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Judiciary Committee on May 12.

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