Piracy and the 4th Amendment

[Commentary] As if they didn't have enough problems with online piracy, the major record labels say they've seen a surge in high-quality counterfeit CDs in California in recent years. That's why they're backing a bill by state Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) that would allow police to search disc manufacturing plants without a warrant, making it easier to find the ones that are behind the bogus products. The labels' eagerness to crack down on pirates is understandable, and Padilla has crafted a narrow measure that tries to stay within the parameters set by the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, exempting disc manufacturers from the 4th Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches is an overreach that would set a dangerous precedent.