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New US law targets pirates |
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Written by Network News Journal Staff
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Monday, 13 October 2008 |
US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH SIGNED into law on Monday a controversial bill that would stiffen penalties for movie and music piracy at the federal level. The new law creates an intellectual property czar who will report directly to the president on how to better protect copyrights both domestically and internationally. The law also toughens criminal laws against piracy and counterfeiting. The Recording Industry Association of America and Motion Picture Association of America backed the bill, as did the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Critics have argued that the measure goes too far and risks punishing people who have not infringed. The Justice Department had also argued that the creation of this position would undermine its authority. |
