http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#37498 This bill MUST be stopped! This is yet another example of over-legislating by Congress. I thought a couple years ago, that putting in new Democratic reps would solve the Washington problem, but same-old same-old. The Dems are no better than the GOP. Write your Senators!!!... 37498@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#37171 I agree that this bill is ridiculous. But don't think it's just democrats voting for this - check the voting record.. Heck, check the bill's cosponsors! http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=main&bill=h110-4279 Everybody needs to contact their senators on this one...... 37171@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#37180 Less Government not more! Enforce current laws for pete's sake!... 37180@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#36932 Ideas cannot be owned in the same way cars can be, thus they cannot be stolen in the same way cars can be. Thus we should not have laws that punish people for stealing ideas in the same way people steal cars. Next they are going to want to collect from everyone who overhears songs without paying and the absurdity will increase. This is what happens when industry funds laws. This is why I will never be a democrat. This is not only a reason not to vote for democrats, this is a reason for Revolution. Capital R.... 36932@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#36924 If you want people to invent or create you have to let them reap the rewards. It is more important to have society move foward than to protect people who feel entitled to steal.... 36924@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#35558 I have to agree with Josh. This bill is not going to help the economy by letting the RIAA and MPAA taking people's houses and other personal property away, and sending civilians off to FEMA labor camps just because of a hefty fine of lets say $130 million per track. Now Let's say someone downloaded 40 tracks illegally multiply by a $130,000,000 fine. Total damage= $5.2 billion. Contact your state senator to oppose their version of this bill.... 35558@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sat, 24 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#35330 What's wrong you people? Why are you supporting this bill? Do you want your houses being taken away once this bill passes even if you don't have computer or any device that infringes copyright? You all should ashamed of yourselves. And I have to agree with Alan, this bill will be more than nightmare, It will be our greatest tribulation as it never was today. We must stand up and fight for fair use and defend our dwelling. Will the RIAA own your house? Yes, it's a facility whether or not you own famiclones, or pirated famicarts.... 35330@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=23822 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc0"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc1"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/12/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc2"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc3"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 23822@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html 5/12/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 35664@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#34316 Yeah, that drug Czar-thing has worked out so well, this should be equally as effective. More laws, higher expense, people prosecuted for exercising their Fair Use rights...how about letting the free market work and let the IP-producers figure it out?!? I don't want to subsidize their failed marketing model. The unintended consequences from this staggeringly ill-conceived bill will be massive.... 34316@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#34354 This is not the appropriate place for the American government to be. Just as the war on drugs is such a benefit to us, I'm sure this will prove to be even more of a nightmare. People need to educate themselves about copyright, and the ideas behind why it benefits society, then look at how its been perverted into a one-sided benefit, with society suffering. If you want this, I want copyright lengths to become reasonable again. how about say 10 years?... 34354@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=23708 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc4"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc5"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/8/2008: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 410 - 11 (Roll no. 300).</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc6"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc7"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 23708@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#34247 "antiquated big media"? This is one of the biggest industries the US has to offer to the world. We need to protect our IP. Take this away and huge industries will fall taking all of it's workers down as well. A huge blow to the US economy.... 34247@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html 5/8/2008: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 410 - 11 (Roll no. 300). 35605@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#34091 another handout to antiquated big media... 34091@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=23479 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc8"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc9"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/6/2008: House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Frelinghuysen objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc10"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc11"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 23479@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=23430 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc12"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc13"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/5/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 384.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc14"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc15"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 23430@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html 5/6/2008: House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Frelinghuysen objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn. 35464@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html 5/5/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 384. 35432@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=23163 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc16"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc17"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 4/30/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc18"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc19"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 23163@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html 4/30/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. 35284@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=19163 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc20"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc21"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 3/6/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc22"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc23"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 19163@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html 3/6/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote . 33405@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_4279.html?rev=17953 <p>H.R. 4279 would enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws.</p> <h2 id="toc24"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.</p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) enhance civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement and provide for restitution to victims of such infringement.</p> <p>Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights.</p> <p>Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <p>Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).</p> <p>Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes.</p> <p>Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units and provide such units with additional support and resources; (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property theft; (3) deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens; and (4) increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc25"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/13/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc26"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>Removes a loop hole that minimizes copyright penalties for infringing compilations.<br /> Creates WHIPER, which could reduce international piracy of U.S. copyrights.</p> <h2 id="toc27"> Points Against </h2> <p>Increases already stiff domestic penalties, without providing any real mechanism for copyright owners to recover lost value.<br /> Provides no remedies to owners of unregistered copyrights.<br /> Strongly favors large content owners over small content owners.</p> 17953@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_4279.html#30099 This is a much needed bill. By the way, there are already copyright fees in place.... 30099@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST