Senate Judiciary Committee Passes IP Act

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed its version of a bill to boost protections for intellectual property. The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act, introduced in July, has the backing of Patrick Leahy (D-VT.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the committee's chairman and ranking member, respectively. It would create a post in the White House to coordinate enforcement of IP laws by various government agencies; would require coordinating with Congress to develop a strategic play to combat IP theft; and would boost resources for IP enforcement, all similar to provisions in the House PRO-IP bill, which passed by a wide margin in May. It would also give the Justice Department the power to bring civil cases against suspected copyright infringers. Currently, it can only pursue criminal prosecutions and must rely on aggrieved copyright owners to file civil suits.