PRO-IP Act Passes House, May Stall
By Andrew Albanese -- Library Journal, 6/15/2008
The “Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008,” commonly known as the PRO-IP Act, passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives on May 9, just days after getting through the House judiciary committee. The bill, lobbied for heavily by the entertainment industry and opposed strongly by librarians, public watchdog groups, and the technology sector, passed by a large 408-11 margin.
The bill would strengthen penalties for copyright infringements, both civil and criminal; establish a cabinet-level position in the White House to advise the President; and create a special division within the Department of Justice for enforcement of intellectual property laws. However, there's little momentum in the Senate, and a Senate version has yet to be introduced.
