Senate Prepares To Take On Piracy... Again

It appears the Senate is on ready to attack piracy again with the introduction of the Intellectual Propert Enforcement Act. The Pirate Act is not new to the Senate, but has died a few times prior to this most recent introduction. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) are hoping for better results this time around, with Leahy using such catchy phrases as:

"Copyright infringement silently drains America's economy and undermines the talent, creativity and initiative that are a great source of strength to our nation...When we protect intellectual property from copyright infringement, we protect our economy and our ideas."

The Pirate Act would authorize the Department of Justice to bring civil suits against copy write infringers, albeit with some restrictions. It would limit the dollar amount of the penalties imposed in a civil suit, and the civil suits cannot be used unless the act in question actually counts as a crime. The reason for this is that many civil suits can be easier to win compared to criminal suits (think OJ Simpson).

I have really mixed feelings about this subject. I can understand companies wanting to protect their property, but at some point you have to accept that the business model is changing and you need to meet the customer where they are. A company will not accomplish anything by forcing consumers to digest music or movies how the company wants you to. Simply put, they need to find a way to monetize the current consumption model versus sueing single mothers into bankruptcy.

This act would go beyond companies suing individuals, it would now bring out government into the fray. Resources from the FBI would be pulled to track down college kids in dorm rooms. Federal agents could show up out your house right after you download the newest Sean Cody video. But instead of arresting you, they would sue you. Because it's easier to win a civil suit. Worst. Idea. Ever.

To top it all off, this just reeks of RIAA lobbyists. This smells oddly like a mega-conglomerate of a mega-conglomerate is giving top dollar campaign contributions to get the government to take on the bad guy role.

PIRATE Act dons eye patch, swashbuckles back into Senate [ars technica]