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P.L. 110-403, The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
Comparing revision saved on September 16, 2008, 13:32:32 (webmaster), with revision saved on November 13, 2008, 20:04:15 (webmaster):
S. 3325 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.
== Detailed Summary ==
<summary>
(LogPrioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 - <b>Title I: Enhancements to Civil Intellectual Property Laws - </b> (Sec. 101) Amends federal copyright law to provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions and provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information.
(Sec. 102) Allows a court, while an infringement action is pending, to impound records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of related things, requiring a protective order to ensure that confidential, private, proprietary, or privileged information is not improperly disclosed or used.
Amends trademark seizure provisions to broaden protective order requirements.
(Sec. 103) Amends the Trademark Act to revise treble damages provisions and double statutory damages in counterfeiting cases.
(Sec. 104) Doubles statutory damage minimums and maximums for the use of counterfeit trademarks.
(Sec. 105) Makes exportation of copies or phonorecords without the copyright owner's authority an infringement. (Importation is already an infringement.)
<b>Title II: Enhancements to editCriminal Intellectual Property Laws - </b>(Sec. 205) Imposes criminal penalties if, in intentionally trafficking in counterfeit goods or services, an offender knowingly or recklessly causes serious bodily injury or death.
Prohibits the wikitransshipment or exportation of counterfeit goods or services and deems such acts to be violations of the firstActs commonly referred to provideas the Trademark Act of 1946 or the Lanham Act.
(Sec. 206) Requires, for civil and criminal violations of certain provisions, the forfeiture and destruction of any articles involved, any property used in commission of the offense, and property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from the offense. (Those provisions relate to: (1) economic espionage involving trade secrets and benefiting any foreign government, instrumentality, or agent; (2) criminal copyright infringement; (3) trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; (4) unauthorized fixation of, and trafficking in, sound and video recordings of live musical performances; and (5) unauthorized recording of motion pictures.)
Requires, in addition, restitution for violation of such provisions.
(Sec. 208) Revises the penalties applicable to various criminal copyright violations.
<b>Title III: Coordination and strategic Planning of Federal Effort Against Counterfeiting and Infringement - </b> (Sec. 301) Directs the President to appoint an Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC). Includes in the IPEC's duties chairing the interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee (IIPEAC) established by this Act and coordinating the development, and assisting in the implementation, of the IIPEAC's Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy.
(Sec. 303) Requires the Plan to include in its objectives: (1) reducing counterfeit and infringing goods in the domestic and international supply chain; (2) identifying and addressing structural weaknesses, systemic flaws, or other unjustified impediments to effective enforcement; (3) ensuring that information is identified and shared among the relevant departments and agencies; (4) disrupting and eliminating domestic and international counterfeiting and infringement networks; and (5) providing training and technical assistance to foreign governments to enhance those governments' enforcement of counterfeiting and infringement laws. Requires a detailed summaryreport every three years to the House and Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees.
(Sec. 304) Requires an annual report to Congress on the IIPEAC's activities.
(Sec. 305) Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 to repeal provisions establishing the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council, effective on Senate confirmation of the IPEC.
(Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title.
<b>Title IV: Department of Justice Programs - </b>(Sec. 401) Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to allow existing grants to combat computer crime to be used for activities relating to infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Authorizes appropriations.
Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for training, prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of intellectual property theft and infringement crimes. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 402) Requires the Attorney General, subject to appropriations, to: (1) ensure that there are at least 10 additional operational Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents designated to support the DOJ's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property section on the investigation and coordination of intellectual property crimes; (2) increase by at least one the number of FBI agents supporting any DOJ Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Crime Unit; (3) ensure that all such Units located at a U.S. Attorney's office are assigned at least two Assistant United States Attorneys; (4) ensure the implementation of a regular and comprehensive intellectual property training program; and (5) create and implement a comprehensive, long-range plan to investigate and prosecute international organized crime syndicates engaging in or supporting crimes relating to intellectual property theft. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 403) Authorizes appropriations to hire and train law enforcement officers to investigate and prosecute intellectual property crimes and other crimes committed using information technology, including through the Internet, and to enable DOJ units to procure advanced tools of forensic science and expert computer forensic assistance to investigate, prosecute, and study such crimes.
(Sec. 404) Directs the Attorney General and the FBI's director each to report annually to Congress on actions to carry out this title.
<b>Title V: Miscellaneous - </b>(Sec. 501) Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on how the federal government could better protect the intellectual property of manufacturers by quantification of the impacts of imported and domestic counterfeit goods on the U.S. manufacturing industry and on the overall U.S. economy.
(Sec. 502) Requires the Comptroller General to report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on: (1) the actions of the IPEC and the Attorney General in carrying out this Act; (2) any possible legislative, administrative, or regulatory changes to better achieve this Act's goals and purposes; (3) the effectiveness of any actions taken by the IPEC and the Attorney General to minimize duplicating the efforts, materials, facilities, and procedures of any other federal agency and to enhance efficiency and consistency in enforcing, investigating, or prosecuting intellectual property crimes; and (4) any actions to reduce duplication of efforts and increase that efficiency and consistency.
(Sec. 503) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) effective criminal enforcement of the intellectual property laws should be among the Attorney General's highest priorities; and (2) the Attorney General shall give priority to intellectual property theft cases with a nexus to terrorism and organized crime.
Expresses the sense of Congress that, with respect to criminal counterfeiting and infringement of computer software, the Attorney General should give priority to cases: (1) involving willful theft for commercial advantage or private financial gain; (2) where the theft is central to the viability of the commercial activity of the enterprise (or subsidiary) involved in the violation; (3) where the counterfeited or infringing goods or services enable unfair competition; or (4) where there is actual knowledge of the theft by the directors or officers of the bill!)enterprise.
</summary>
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== Status of the Legislation ==
<status>
Latest Major Action: 9/15/2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 964.10/2/2008: Presented to President.
</status>
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== Points in Favor ==
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== Points Against ==
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There was no up-or-down vote in the Senate.
Visitor Comments 
Question It
September 12, 2008, 10:03am (report abuse)I wonder how much 'quality' time Sen. Leahy spent with executives from the entertainment industry.
The justice department is/was not meant to be the private police of the entertainment industry.
Corruption?
September 12, 2008, 10:12am (report abuse)These guys coulndt be paid off could they? No way!
Honest Abe
September 12, 2008, 10:52am (report abuse)Once again, I'm simply disappointed in the lack of representation for the people in government. When did we become a country for the corporation, by the corporation? Such petty grievances should not be the concern of a governing body.
thomas
September 12, 2008, 10:57am (report abuse)Best government money can buy. The Senators need money for re-election, drugs, hookers, gifts to boyfriends, etc. Anyone who thinks the government cares about citizens is seriously deluded. It is government for the corporations, not the peopleY
Me
September 12, 2008, 11:43am (report abuse)This is embarrasing as a US citizen. Are none of my "inalienable" rights sacred anymore?
Kevin
September 12, 2008, 1:04pm (report abuse)This reflects just one more way the Democrat's obsession with government control over our lives.
F
September 12, 2008, 1:35pm (report abuse)It's absurd that a business can buy government protection to AVOID innovating and evolving in the marketplace. I guess you have to get money from consumers one way or another...whether by providing them the content they want in a convenient package for a good price, or by ignoring the market signs and suing everyone, rather than adapt. I won't buy CDs anymore, I'll spend my money at concerts, where it actually supports the ones who DO innovate. I refuse to prop up an industry that abuses consumers and buys off the government.
fading patriot
September 12, 2008, 3:36pm (report abuse)I feel that by even considering this bill, the government we have in place has essentially spit in the face of its people. I know that money talks, but this is obscene. I know that it is hard to let go of a profitable business, but like other models that have adapted over the years, the RIAA and MPAA should adapt or fade away. I truly hope that with a little support the people we voted for will listen and vote against this bill when the time comes.
Josh Taylor
September 12, 2008, 3:40pm (report abuse)I read this bill and it's very similar to HR 4279. This bill is going to make the economy much worser. I just heard it on Anime News Network.
Faxbo
September 12, 2008, 5:37pm (report abuse)Wow, thank Mr. Leahy, your wallet must be getting nice and fat. Meanwhile, the US economy is imploding, an economic depression is coming, and all Leahy can think of is to take more taxpayer money and use it raid our homes, steal our computers, and give the proceeds to his corporate friends at the RIAA and MPAA. Is anyone else sick and tired of all this greed and malice coming out of DC? It's disgusting.
Shawn B
September 12, 2008, 6:57pm (report abuse)This doesn't surprise me at all when added to the picture of other IP related issues (MPAA, RIAA, the patent system, and trademark issues). Has anyone read Atlas Shrugged lately? The parallels are very surprising and much more noticeable now than they were 50 years ago when it was published.
Robin
September 16, 2008, 5:24pm (report abuse)I think your plea for different viewpoints on this bill are destined to go unanswered. Not because of a popular, well-written blog as you suggested, but purely on the merits of the legislation itself (of which there are none)
Dave
September 26, 2008, 7:47pm (report abuse)"When did we become a country for the corporation, by the corporation? "
When we gave these artificial entities the same rights as living people. A corp should license from patent holders, not hold them. And corps can sue people?? WTF!!!
Strip these artificial entities of the rights they so don't deserve.
Outraged_Citizen_00130165
September 26, 2008, 7:48pm (report abuse)Oh joy, yet another shining example of irrefutable proof that every single last S.O.B in Congress is a corrupt waste of existence. This bill does nothing but help corporate America pinch more money out of the coffers of the hard-working everyday citizen. I can only hope that our economy does fail, and so badly that these bastards are affected just the same. Your business models are failing because you’re too god damned ignorant to face the reality that times have changed, and soon enough the outraged public hopefully will respond.
However, (continued...)
Outraged_Citizen_00130165
September 26, 2008, 7:51pm (report abuse)(..cont.) I guess we’ll have to wait and see about that. This country is so scared of its own shadow at the slightest hint of danger we’ll revoke everyone’s Constitutional rights, damn near abolish the thing entirely, and let any fool masquerade about so long as they have a uniform andor title indicative of authority. Last time I checked, the good people in charge of our security forces aren’t the most intelligent people around, and their ability to differentiate between threat and irritant is about as good as a dog’s ability to differentiate between its own tail and the cat next door; both needlessly chasing around nothing more than constant nuisances that have always been right in front of their face. If you support this bill you support the idea that I can walk into your home and take every piece of art off your wall because someone other than the original artist created the work. So please, let your support be known.
Love_Reading_Idiot_Postings
September 28, 2008, 6:34pm (report abuse)You are all outraged by how much the corporations are taking from your pockets but who put that money there? My guess - corporations that pay you for your labors. So why can't I, as a creator, get paid for my labor by every one of you freaks?
"Inalienable rights", huh? Those are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. It doesn't say The Realization of happiness, and it also doesn't say Lots of Free Sh*t.
bob_sacamento
October 1, 2008, 12:14am (report abuse)recording artists get about 10 percent when you buy their cd, corporations get the lion's share, tell me thats right.
CitizenCane
October 2, 2008, 4:48am (report abuse)"Inalienable rights", huh? And what about my consumer rights?
Can I buy government protection for those?
Sayoko
October 6, 2008, 10:36am (report abuse)Kevin, this bill was passed by 205 Dems and 176 GOPs. The Nays were 22 Dems and 19 GOPs. This is all about government control - Not Dem control. Let's get a grip and let the blame fall where it belongs.
Di
October 26, 2008, 2:51pm (report abuse)Think about it. If there is an author of musical works whose works have been infringed on by the likes of Jackson, Wonder, Clapton, Seal, Mike Post, Santana, Stevie being a repeat offender, and the victims of these infringements could never afford an attorney to pursue a copyright infringement case, where else does the victim have to go but to our government for relief? I write, knowing that this has been the case.
gene
December 13, 2008, 8:16pm (report abuse)Severe actions by the public like jury nullification has to begin. Both Directv and the RIAA have sued those they knew were innocent. When you sue an innocent person you have had to lie in the court complaint. The act of lying in a court complaint to force settlement money is a crime. The victim of that crime then asks government to protect them against the fraudulent filing. The plea oif the crime victim falls on deaf ears. Justice does nothing to assist in arresting directv or RIAA for fraudulent court filing for gains. In order to put Justice on the right side of the law and protect innocent people, people need to do just what justice has done in these cases. Ignore Justice. The next time you are a Juror or a witness, ignore justice just like justice has done to those innocent people sued by directv and the RIAA. When enough jurors and witness ignore justice, then justice will have to get back to there job of protecting innocent people from such fraudulent lawsuits.
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