Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Pirate Act to Take Senate Floor, Again

Would enable Justice Dept. to prosecute illegal downloaders

Share

(Newser) – Legislation that would enable the Justice Department to prosecute those who partake in peer-to-peer copyright infringement is coming before Congress—for the fourth time—now sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy and John Conryn. But while it's popular among lawmakers and corporate copyright holders alike, the Pirate Act hasn't seen too much love in the Justice Department itself, CNET writes.

"This legislation is a simple bill that would give the Department of Justice the authority to prosecute copyright violations as civil wrongs," Leahy said. If passed, the the US Attorney General could bring civil suits against anyone caught downloading copyrighted material; criminal charges would not be allowed. The new draft also apportions a hefty chunk of cash for FBI and Justice Department investigations.

Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., left, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorney, Brian Toder of Minneapolis after the jury returned a verdict against her on the third and final day of her civil trial for alleged music pirating through illegal sharing of song files in Duluth, Minn., Thursday, Oct....
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., left, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorney, Brian Toder of Minneapolis after the jury returned a verdict against her on the third and final day of her civil...   (Associated Press)
Lead plaintiff's attorney Richard Gabriel in the Recording Industry Association of America lawsuit against Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn. speaks with reporters outside the federal courthouse building in Duluth, MInn, on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. The jury of six women and six men returned a verdict in RIAA's favor. (AP...
Lead plaintiff's attorney Richard Gabriel in the Recording Industry Association of America lawsuit against Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn. speaks with reporters outside the federal courthouse building...   (Associated Press)
Chairman of the Judiciary, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announces at a news conference in his office in Burlington, Vt., Friday, Nov. 2, 2007,that he will not support the nomination of Michael Mukasey for Attorney General of the United States.(AP Photo/Alden Pellett)
Chairman of the Judiciary, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announces at a news conference in his office in Burlington, Vt., Friday, Nov. 2, 2007,that he will not support the nomination of Michael Mukasey...   (Associated Press)
Graphic explains the downloading software BitTorrent; 4c x 4 3/4 inches; 195.7 mm x 120.7 mm
Graphic explains the downloading software BitTorrent; 4c x 4 3/4 inches; 195.7 mm x 120.7 mm   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

18 Stories

OPINION

To Save the Music Industry, Ban Music—and Whistling

The copyright arguments aren't going to stop until the day music dies

Sep 18, 09 9:38 AM CDT
(Newser) - The music industry wants royalties for the 30-second previews on iTunes—which is "bullshit," writes Nicholas DeLeon for TechGear. It's yet another foolish move in the battle to save the music industry, complains DeLeon. Luckily, he has a "foolproof" way to do just that: Ban music, "... More »

MORE ABOUT:
music industry • Recording Industry Association of America • iTunes • copyright • file sharing • royalties • RIAA • lawsuit • illegal downloading

(Newser) - A Boston graduate student must pay $675,000 to the music industry for illegally downloading 30 songs, a federal jury ordered today. Joel Tenenbaum, 25, essentially admitted yesterday to grabbing the music via file-sharing network KaZaA. The fine averages out to $22,500 per song—significantly less than the $80,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • Recording Industry Association of America • piracy • Kazaa • recording industry • illegal downloading • fine • Joel Tenenbaum • graduate student

(Newser) - In an indication that conservative Republicans are uniting against Sonia Sotomayor, Senate Judiciary Committee members John Cornyn and Orrin Hatch today pledged to vote against her, CNN reports. Though moderate Republicans worry opposition could hurt the party with Hispanics, the conservative base has lobbied hard against the Supreme Court nominee.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Texas • Senate Judiciary Committee • Senate Republicans • Utah • John Cornyn • Orrin Hatch • nominee • confirmation hearings • US Supreme Court • Obama administration • Sonia Sotomayor

18 Stories


Pirate Act resurfaces with bipartisan support
P2PNet

Piracy may help record sales, study says
Sydney Morning Herald


Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserTech on Twitter

 
Department of Justice • Recording Industry Association of America • Motion Picture Association of America • piracy • Patrick Leahy • copyright • John Cornyn • Orrin Hatch

from our news partners