Wide Industry Coalition Backs US Internet Anti-Piracy Bill

What do entertainment, sports, health, religion, fashion, jewelry, champagne, software and even tattoos have in common – other than being a large portion of the elements of any developed society?

Industries representing them all support quick action on a bill in the United States Senate, S.3804, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and more than 40 other companies and associations issued a letter on 21 October backing the bill, which was introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat.

The bill aims to “combat the use of the internet as a platform to sell counterfeit goods and facilitate the digital theft of copyright works,” according to MPAA. If it does not succeed this year, it will have to be reintroduced in the next Congress starting in January.

The US Chamber of Commerce issued a statement in support, saying, “This legislation will facilitate continued innovation and consumer access to digital products and services, while protecting consumers against rogue sites whose only purpose is to offer stolen content or counterfeit products.”

The industry letter is here [pdf].