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RSS feedsThe US entertainment industry received a boost in its fight against copyright infringement and file swappers last week with the passing of two proposed bills through the US Senate.
The Artists' Rights and Theft (Art) Prevention Act and the Pirate Act include stiffer penalties for pirates, and make it easier for federal authorities to prosecute copyright cases.
The legislation also gives the authorities an initial annual budget of $2m.
Piracy of pre-release works and the recording of films in a cinema for redistribution online or offline is covered by the Art Act.
A first offence could lead to three years in prison for just sharing such copyrighted works, increasing to five years if this was done for profit.
Repeat offenders could spend as long as 10 years behind bars and face a suit for damages from the entertainment industry.
The Pirate Act makes it easier to prosecute file swappers as it will allow the US Department of Justice to file civil lawsuits in copyright cases.
Currently, prosecutors need to show that defendants knew they were breaking the law. But in a civil case the only proof needed is that the infringement took place.
Both acts have to pass through the House of Representatives and receive presidential approval before coming into force, but the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is already rubbing its hands in anticipation.
Mitch Bainwol, chairman and chief executive at the RIAA, said in a statement: "I commend the passage of these common sense proposals that offer flexibility in the enforcement against serious crimes that damage thousands of hardworking artists, songwriters and all those who help bring music to the public.
"These acts will provide federal prosecutors with the flexibility and discretion to bring copyright infringement cases that best correspond to the nature of the crime, and will assure that valuable works that are pirated before their public release date are protected.
"Despite some encouraging signs, piracy continues to plague the music community. There is an essential role for education, enforcement by copyright owners, and federal prosecutions of the worst offenders."
See also:
US court rejects call for technology to be built into hardware 09 May 2005
Hundreds of alleged downloaders hit with lawsuits 19 Nov 2004Altnet accuses US trade body of patent infringement 10 Sep 2004ISPs will now have to match IP addresses to people 30 Jul 2004
How employee use of peer-to-peer sites is more than just a nuisance 08 Jul 2004Trade body welcomes new copyright infringement legislation as it issues more subpoenas 23 Jun 2004
The music industry has finally worked out how to make money out of internet music downloads. But will legal online music services be as popular as P2P sites? 18 Jun 2004
The US trade body is now bringing the full weight of the law to bear on individuals who dare to download a track or two from the web. But the users are fighting back ... 01 Aug 2003All Ecommerce
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