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Senate Bill With Bipartisan Support Would Ban P2P Networks in U.S.

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 23, 2004 - 8:01am.
Washington -- A Senate bill that has gained key bipartisan support would, if approved, effectively ban peer-to-peer file-sharing networks in the U.S., CNET News.com reported on Wednesday. Introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004 would effectively overturn the landmark ruling in MGM v. Grokster, currently under appeal, that found that peer-to-peer file-sharing software is legal and any copyright infringement liability rested with end-users. "This bill remedies a threat to the security of copyrights as well as to our citizens and children," said Hatch. "Because about half of the users of this software are children, this for-profit piracy scheme mostly endangers children who are ill-equipped to appreciate the illegality or risks of their acts." Hatch noted that supporters of the bill include Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).
tags: U.S. | Ban | Senate Bill | Bipartisan Support | P2P Networks |