Intellectual-Property Bill Introduced in Senate

The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act was introduced in the Senate Thursday; the bill attempts to bring together a number of intellectual-property protection bills in the Senate, as well as to mirror the PRO-IP Act, which passed earlier this year by a wide margin in the House. The bill would create a post in the White House to coordinate enforcement of IP laws by various government agencies; would require coordinating with Congress to develop a strategic play to combat IP theft; and would boost resources for IP enforcement, all similar to provisions in the House PRO-IP bill. The bill gets the applause of TV and movie studios, publishers and other content creators and distributors. It was no favorite of Gigi Sohn, president of fair-use advocate Public Knowledge, who said, "This bill would turn the Justice Department into an arm of the legal departments of the entertainment companies by authorizing the DOJ to file civil lawsuits for infringement, forcing taxpayers to foot the bill." Public Knowledge is also concerned about provisions allowing for the seizure of equipment.