Washington -The Bush administration's Justice Dept. has weighed in against proposed legislation that would expand the agency's powers so that it could prosecute civil copyright infringement cases, Wired.com reported. "Civil copyright enforcement has always been the responsibility and prerogative of private copyright holders, and U.S. law already provides them with effective legal tools to protect their rights," reads a letter sent by the DOJ to bill sponsors Sens. Patrick Leahy and Arlen Specter.

The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act, which already passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee, "could result in Department of Justice prosecutors serving as pro bono lawyers for private copyright holders regardless of their resources," the letter adds.

A House version of the bill -- which notably does not empower the Justice Dept. to prosecute civil copyright infringement claims -- was passed last year.

The bill would also create a Cabinet-level "piracy czar" and includes provisions aimed at enhancing intellectual property protections abroad.

Related Links:
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/09/bush-administra.html

http://snipurl.com/3tjks (PDF of letter)