PRO IP Act Passes in the House

05-09-2008 | 11:43 AM EST

We've just been brought one step closer to an entirely new level of federal enforcement of copyright law. With the potential to see tax dollars flying out the window and infringement lawsuits being filed even when no copyright has been registered, let's hope the Senate shows more restraint in the coming months than the House has.

The PRO IP Act (H.R. 4279) passed in the House with a vote of 410 to 11 (12 representatives did not vote). Three key features of this bill include:

1. Forfeiture in Criminal Proceedings: This means that aside from, say, simply collecting fines, the person or group filing the infringement charges would be able to incite local authorities to collect the alleged infringer's equipment (computer, etc.) that was used in the infringement.
2. IP Enforcement Czar: A Cabinet-level position would be created to report to the President and coordinate enforcement efforts across government.
3. Non-Registration: This includes language that extends the power of criminal enforcement of the copyright even in cases where no copyright has been registered. According to the EFF, this "could be read to open the door to increased prosecution against individuals or innovators as well as large-scale commercial pirates."

I wonder how many individual citizens in this country really think that copyright, digital rights, and even fair use disputes merit such heavy-handed law enforcement tactics?

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