New PRO-IP anti-piracy law in US approved, ESA ecstatic
Recent documents being passed around Congress and the PotUS office [insert West Wing red tape montage here] gave birth to a new anti-piracy bill which was signed into law as the “Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008” or, in short, PRO-IP. Back in the ESA offices, Michael Gallagher couldn’t be any happier.
The Entertainment Software Association might be down in the dumps due to all those video game developers and publishers leaving their trade organization. Well, not anymore. Recent documents being passed around Congress and the PotUS office [insert West Wing red tape montage here] have caused ESA to rejoice.
Congress recently passed an anti-piracy bill which was then signed into law by the President. The new law is called “Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008” or, in short, PRO-IP. Here’s what the new anti-piracy law brings to the table (political jargon ahead):
- provides specific directives for U.S. law enforcement to address intellectual property crimes on a number of fronts
- directs the U.S. Attorney General to develop and implement a long-range plan targeting international crime syndicates
- also provides additional funding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice to bolster programs targeting computer crime and hacking
Basically someone’s appointed as an IP Eagle Eye (seen the movie yet? ah, anyways…). This person is tasked to report to the President if he sniffs out any intellectual property crimes – both domestic and international. This so-called IP Eagle Eye will also put some resources into the FBI or DOJ in times that they need help with some anti-piracy campaigns.
Back in ESA, CEO Michael Gallagher couldn’t be any happier:
Intellectual property is the backbone of the U.S. technology economy. The ESA applauds Congress and the Bush Administration for taking critical steps that support job growth and investment in the video game industry. […]
Piracy is an enormously profitable undertaking for criminal organizations. Disabling those organizations requires a coordinated and cross-border approach to enforcement, which this legislation clearly promotes. Ultimately, this law provides for greater responsibility and accountability within the White House and in the multiple agencies responsible for advancing IP protection.
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