Washington - President Bush on Monday signed into law the PRO-IP Act, which will increase penalties and law enforcement resources for copyright crimes, and also create a Cabinet-level "piracy czar" to coordinate anti-piracy efforts worldwide, Reuters reported. The PRO-IP Act was supported by entertainment industry groups like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Opponents were pleased to see a controversial provision removed that would have empowered the Justice Dept. to prosecute civil copyright infringement cases.

NBC Universal general counsel Rick Cotton told Reuters he did not believe the first IP czar will be named before the Bush administration leaves office in January.

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