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Donate NowH.R.4279 - PRO-IP Act of 2007
To enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes.
| Version | Word Count | Changes From Previous Version | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced in House | 12,043 | n/a | n/a |
| Reported in House | 12,300 | 194 | 17% |
| Engrossed in House | 12,263 | 20 | 4% |
| Referred in Senate | 12,204 | 6 Show Changes Hide Changes | 0% |
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HR 4279 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
May 12, 2008
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
To enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 2. Reference.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 3. Definition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE I--ENHANCEMENTS TO CIVIL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
Sec. 101. Registration of claim.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 102. Registration and infringement actions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 103. Civil remedies for infringement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 104. Treble damages in counterfeiting cases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 105. Statutory damages in counterfeiting cases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 106. Exportation of goods bearing infringing marks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 107. Importation and exportation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE II--ENHANCEMENTS TO CRIMINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
Sec. 201. Criminal infringement of a copyright.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 202. Harmonization of forfeiture procedures for intellectual property offenses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 203. Directive to United States Sentencing Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 204. Trafficking in counterfeit goods or services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE III--COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF FEDERAL EFFORT AGAINST COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY
Subtitle A--Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative
Sec. 301. Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 302. Definition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Joint Strategic Plan
Sec. 321. Joint Strategic Plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 322. Reporting.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 323. Savings and repeals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 324. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL ENFORCEMENT AND COORDINATION
Sec. 401. Intellectual property attaches.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 402. Duties and responsibilities of intellectual property attaches.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 403. Training and designation of assignment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 404. Coordination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 405. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
Subtitle A--Coordination
Sec. 501. Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Law Enforcement Resources
Sec. 511. Local law enforcement grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 512. CHIP units, training, and additional resources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 513. Transparency of prosecutorial decisionmaking.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 514. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle C--International Activities
Sec. 521. International intellectual property law enforcement coordinators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 522. International training activities of the computer crime and intellectual property section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle D--Coordination, Implementation, and Reporting
Sec. 531. Coordination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 532. Annual reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 2. REFERENCE.
Any reference in this Act to the `Trademark Act of 1946' refers to the Act entitled `An Act to provide for the registration of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the provisions of certain international conventions, and for other purposes', approved July 5, 1946 (
SEC. 3. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term `United States person' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) any United States resident or national,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) any domestic concern (including any permanent domestic establishment of any foreign concern), andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) any foreign subsidiary or affiliate (including any permanent foreign establishment) of any domestic concern that is controlled in fact by such domestic concern,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
except that such term does not include an individual who resides outside the United States and is employed by an individual or entity other than an individual or entity described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE I--ENHANCEMENTS TO CIVIL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
SEC. 101. REGISTRATION OF CLAIM.
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(c)(1) A certificate of registration satisfies the requirements of section 411 and section 412 regardless of any inaccurate information contained in the certificate, unless--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(A) the inaccurate information was included on the application for copyright registration with knowledge that it was inaccurate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) In any case in which inaccuracies described under paragraph (1) are alleged, the court shall request the Register of Copyrights to advise the court whether the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration. The Register shall respond to the court's request within 45 days after the request is made.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(3) Nothing in this subsection shall affect any rights, obligations, or requirements of a person related to information contained in a registration certificate except for the institution of and remedies in infringement actions under sections 411 and 412.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 102. REGISTRATION AND INFRINGEMENT ACTIONS.
(a) Registration in Civil Infringement Actions-
(1) in the section heading, by inserting `civil' after `and' ; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subsection (a), by striking `no action' and inserting `no civil action'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment-
SEC. 103. CIVIL REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENT.
(1) by striking `and of all plates' and inserting `of all plates'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: `, and records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of things involved in such violation. The court shall enter an appropriate protective order with respect to discovery by the applicant of any records that have been seized. The protective order shall provide for appropriate procedures to assure that confidential information contained in such records is not improperly disclosed to the applicant.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 104. TREBLE DAMAGES IN COUNTERFEITING CASES.
Section 35(b) of the Trademark Act of 1946 (
`(b) In assessing damages under subsection (a) for any violation of section 32(1)(a) of this Act or
, in a case involving use of a counterfeit mark or designation (as defined in section 34(d) of this Act), the court shall, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances, enter judgment for three times such profits or damages, whichever amount is greater, together with a reasonable attorney's fee, if the violation consists of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink section 220506 of title 36, United States Code
`(1) intentionally using a mark or designation, knowing such mark or designation is a counterfeit mark (as defined in section 34(d) of this Act), in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) intentionally inducing another to engage in a violation specified in paragraph (1); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(3) providing goods or services necessary to the commission of a violation specified in paragraph (1), with the intent that the recipient of the goods or services would put the goods or services to use in committing the violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
In such a case, the court may award prejudgment interest on such amount at an annual interest rate established under section 6621(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, beginning on the date of the service of the claimant's pleadings setting forth the claim for such entry of judgment and ending on the date such entry is made, or for such shorter time as the court considers appropriate.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 105. STATUTORY DAMAGES IN COUNTERFEITING CASES.
Section 35(c) of the Trademark Act of 1946 (
(1) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking `$500' and inserting `$1,000'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking `$100,000' and inserting `$200,000'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking `$1,000,000' and inserting `$2,000,000'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 106. EXPORTATION OF GOODS BEARING INFRINGING MARKS.
Title VII of the Trademark Act of 1946 (
(1) in the title heading, by inserting after `IMPORTATION' the following: `OR EXPORTATION'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in section 42--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking the word `imported'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by inserting after `customhouse of the United States' the following: `, nor shall any such article be exported from the United States'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 107. IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION.
(a) In General- The heading for chapter 6 of title 17, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`CHAPTER 6--MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENTS, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION'.
(b) Amendment on Exportation-
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving such subparagraphs 2 ems to the right;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by striking `(a)' and inserting `(a) Infringing Importation and Exportation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(1) IMPORTATION- ';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by striking `This subsection does not apply to--' and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) IMPORTATION OR EXPORTATION OF INFRINGING ITEMS- Importation into the United States or exportation from the United States, without the authority of the owner of copyright under this title, of copies or phonorecords, the making of which either constituted an infringement of copyright or would have constituted an infringement of copyright if this title had been applicable, is an infringement of the exclusive right to distribute copies or phonorecords under section 106, actionable under sections 501 and 506.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(3) EXCEPTIONS- This subsection does not apply to--';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) in paragraph (3)(A) (as redesignated by this subsection) by inserting `or exportation' after `importation'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) in paragraph (3)(B) (as redesignated by this subsection)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking `importation, for the private use of the importer' and inserting `importation or exportation, for the private use of the importer or exporter'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by inserting `or departing from the United States' after `United States'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Conforming Amendments- (1)
(A) in the section heading, by inserting `or exportation' after `importation'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) by striking `(b) In a case' and inserting `(b) Import Prohibition- In a case';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) by striking `the United States Customs Service' and inserting `U.S. Customs and Border Protection'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iii) by striking `the Customs Service' and inserting `U.S. Customs and Border Protection'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2)
(3) The item relating to chapter 6 in the table of chapters for title 17, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`6. Manufacturing Requirements, Importation, and Exportation........601'.
TITLE II--ENHANCEMENTS TO CRIMINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
SEC. 201. CRIMINAL INFRINGEMENT OF A COPYRIGHT.
(1) in subsection (b)(2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by inserting `is a felony and' after `offense' the first place such term appears; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking `paragraph (1)' and inserting `subsection (a)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subsection (c)(2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by inserting `is a felony and' after `offense' the first place such term appears; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking `paragraph (1)' and inserting `subsection (a)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) in subsection (d)(3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by inserting `is a felony and' after `offense' the first place such term appears; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by inserting `under subsection (a)' before the semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) in subsection (d)(4), by inserting `is a felony and' after `offense' the first place such term appears.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 202. HARMONIZATION OF FORFEITURE PROCEDURES FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFENSES.
(a) Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels-
(1) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(d) Forfeiture and Destruction; Restitution-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(1) CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The following property is subject to forfeiture to the United States:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any counterfeit documentation or packaging, and any counterfeit label or illicit label and any article to which a counterfeit label or illicit label has been affixed, which a counterfeit label or illicit label encloses or accompanies, or which was intended to have had such label affixed, enclosing, or accompanying.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of a violation of subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or facilitate the commission of a violation of subsection (a) that is owned or predominantly controlled by the violator or by a person conspiring with or aiding and abetting the violator in committing the violation, except that property is subject to forfeiture under this clause only if the Government establishes that there was a substantial connection between the property and the violation of subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The provisions of chapter 46 relating to civil forfeitures shall extend to any seizure or civil forfeiture under subparagraph (A). At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited counterfeit labels or illicit labels and any article to which a counterfeit label or illicit label has been affixed, which a counterfeit label or illicit label encloses or accompanies, or which was intended to have had such label affixed, enclosing, or accompanying, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(C) In this paragraph, the term `aiding and abetting' means knowingly providing aid to the violator with the intent to facilitate the violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) CRIMINAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of an offense under this section, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed, that the person forfeit to the United States the following property:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any counterfeit documentation or packaging, and any counterfeit label or illicit label, that was used, intended for use, or possessed with intent to use in the commission of an offense under subsection (a), and any article to which such a counterfeit label or illicit label has been affixed, which such a counterfeit label or illicit label encloses or accompanies, or which was intended to have had such label affixed, enclosing, or accompanying.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or substantially facilitate the commission of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The forfeiture of property under subparagraph (A), including any seizure and disposition of the property and any related judicial or administrative proceeding, shall be governed by the procedures set forth in section 413 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (
), other than subsection (d) of that section. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any counterfeit label or illicit label and any article to which a counterfeit label or illicit label has been affixed, which a counterfeit label or illicit label encloses or accompanies, or which was intended to have had such label affixed, enclosing, or accompanying, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink 21 U.S.C. 853 `(3) RESTITUTION- When a person is convicted of an offense under this section, the court, pursuant to sections 3556, 3663A, and 3664, shall order the person to pay restitution to the owner of the marks or copyrighted works involved in the offense and any other victim of the offense as an offense against property referred to in section 3663A(c)(1)(A)(ii).';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by striking subsection (e); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Criminal Infringement of a Copyright-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL-
`(g) Forfeiture and Destruction; Restitution-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(1) CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The following property is subject to forfeiture to the United States:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any copies or phonorecords manufactured, reproduced, distributed, sold, or otherwise used, intended for use, or possessed with intent to use in violation of section 506(a) of title 17, any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, film negatives, or other articles by means of which such copies or phonorecords may be made, and any electronic, mechanical, or other devices for manufacturing, reproducing, or assembling such copies or phonorecords.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of a violation of section 506(a) of title 17.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or facilitate the commission of a violation of section 506(a) of title 17 that is owned or predominantly controlled by the violator or by a person conspiring with or aiding and abetting the violator in committing the violation, except that property is subject to forfeiture under this clause only if the Government establishes that there was a substantial connection between the property and the violation of section 506(a) of title 17.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The provisions of chapter 46 relating to civil forfeitures shall extend to any seizure or civil forfeiture under this section. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited infringing copies or phonorecords, and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such unauthorized copies or phonorecords may be made, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(C) In this paragraph, the term `aiding and abetting' means knowingly providing aid to the violator with the intent to facilitate the violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) CRIMINAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of an offense under subsection (a), shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed, that the person forfeit to the United States the following property:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any copies or phonorecords manufactured, reproduced, distributed, sold, or otherwise used, intended for use, or possessed with intent to use in the commission of an offense under subsection (a), any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, film negatives, or other articles by means of which the copies or phonorecords may be reproduced, and any electronic, mechanical, or other devices for manufacturing, reproducing, or assembling such copies or phonorecords.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or substantially facilitate the commission of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The forfeiture of property under subparagraph (A), including any seizure and disposition of the property and any related judicial or administrative proceeding, shall be governed by the procedures set forth in section 413 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (
), other than subsection (d) of that section. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited infringing copies or phonorecords, and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such infringing copies or phonorecords may be made, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink 21 U.S.C. 853 `(3) RESTITUTION- When a person is convicted of an offense under this section, the court, pursuant to sections 3556, 3663A, and 3664, shall order the person to pay restitution to the copyright owner and any other victim of the offense as an offense against property referred to in section 3663A(c)(1)(A)(ii).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- (A)
, is amended by striking all that follows `destruction' and inserting the following: `of property as prescribed by section 2319(g) of title 18.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Section 506(b) of title 17, United States Code (B)
, relating seizure and forfeiture, and the item relating to section 509 in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of title 17, United States Code, are repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Section 509 of title 17, United States Code
(c) Unauthorized Fixation and Trafficking-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL-
(A) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(b) Forfeiture and Destruction; Restitution-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(1) CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The following property is subject to forfeiture to the United States:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any copies or phonorecords of a live musical performance described in subsection (a)(1) that are made without the consent of the performer or performers involved, and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such copies or phonorecords may be made.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of a violation of subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or facilitate the commission of a violation of subsection (a) that is owned or predominantly controlled by the violator or by a person conspiring with or aiding and abetting the violator in committing the violation, except that property is subject to forfeiture under this clause only if the Government establishes that there was a substantial connection between the property and the violation of subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The provisions of chapter 46 relating to civil forfeitures shall extend to any seizure or civil forfeiture under paragraph (1). At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited unauthorized copies or phonorecords of live musical performances, and any plates, molds, matrices, maters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such unauthorized copies or phonorecords may be made, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(C) In this paragraph, the term `aiding and abetting' means knowingly providing aid to the violator with the intent to facilitate the violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) CRIMINAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of an offense under this section, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed, that the person forfeit to the United States the following property:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any unauthorized copies or phonorecords of a live musical performance that were used, intended for use, or possessed with intent to use in the commission of an offense under subsection (a), and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such copies or phonorecords may be made.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or substantially facilitate the commission of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The forfeiture of property under subparagraph (A), including any seizure and disposition of the property and any related judicial or administrative proceeding, shall be governed by the procedures set forth in section 413 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (
), other than subsection (d) of that section. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited unauthorized copies or phonorecords of live musical performances, and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such unauthorized copies of phonorecords may be made, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink 21 U.S.C. 853 `(3) NOTIFICATION OF IMPORTATION- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue regulations by which any performer may, upon payment of a specified fee, be entitled to notification by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the importation of copies or phonorecords that appear to consist of unauthorized fixations of the sounds or sounds and images of a live musical performance prohibited by this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(4) RESTITUTION- When a person is convicted of an offense under this section, the court, pursuant to sections 3556, 3663A, and 3664, shall order the person to pay restitution to the performer or performers involved, and any other victim of the offense as an offense against property referred to in section 3663A(c)(1)(A)(ii).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) APPLICABILITY- Section 2319A(e), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, is amended by inserting before the period the following: `, except that the forfeiture provisions under subsection (b)(2), as added by the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act, shall apply only in a case in which the underlying act or acts occur on or after the date of the enactment of that Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Unauthorized Recording of Motion Pictures-
`(b) Forfeiture and Destruction; Restitution-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(1) CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The following property is subject to forfeiture to the United States:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any copies of a motion picture or other audiovisual work protected under title 17 that are made without the authorization of the copyright owner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of a violation of subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or facilitate the commission of a violation of subsection (a) that is owned or predominantly controlled by the violator or by a person conspiring with or aiding and abetting the violator in committing the violation, except that property is subject to forfeiture under this clause only if the Government establishes that there was a substantial connection between the property and the violation of subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The provisions of chapter 46 relating to civil forfeitures shall extend to any seizure or civil forfeiture under this section. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited unauthorized copies or phonorecords of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, or part thereof, and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such unauthorized copies or phonorecords may be made, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(C) In this paragraph, the term `aiding and abetting' means knowingly providing aid to the violator with the intent to facilitate the violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) CRIMINAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS- (A) The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of an offense under this section, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed, that the person forfeit to the United States the following property:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(i) Any unauthorized copies of a motion picture or other audiovisual work protected under title 17, or part thereof, that were used, intended for use, or possessed with intent to use in the commission of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(ii) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(iii) Any property used, or intended to be used, to commit or substantially facilitate the commission of an offense under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) The forfeiture of property under subparagraph (A), including any seizure and disposition of the property and any related judicial or administrative proceeding, shall be governed by the procedures set forth in section 413 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (
), other than subsection (d) of that section. At the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited unauthorized copies or phonorecords of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, or part thereof, and any plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, and film negatives by means of which such unauthorized copies or phonorecords may be made, be destroyed or otherwise disposed of according to law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink 21 U.S.C. 853 `(3) RESTITUTION- When a person is convicted of an offense under this chapter, the court, pursuant to sections 3556, 3663A, and 3664, shall order the person to pay restitution to the owner of the copyright in the motion picture or other audiovisual work and any other victim of the offense as an offense against property referred to in section 3663A(c)(1)(A)(ii).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Applicability- The amendments made by this section shall apply only in a case in which the underlying act or acts occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 203. DIRECTIVE TO UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION.
(a) Review and Amendment- The United States Sentencing Commission, pursuant to its authority under
(b) Authorization- The United States Sentencing Commission may amend the Federal sentencing guidelines under subsection (a) in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987 (
SEC. 204. TRAFFICKING IN COUNTERFEIT GOODS OR SERVICES.
(a) In General-
(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking `Whoever' and inserting `Offense-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(1) IN GENERAL- Whoever';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by moving the remaining text 2 ems to the right; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(2) SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(A) SERIOUS BODILY HARM- If the offender knowingly or recklessly causes or attempts to cause serious bodily injury from conduct in violation of paragraph (1), the penalty shall be a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) DEATH- If the offender knowingly or recklessly causes or attempts to cause death from conduct in violation of paragraph (1), the penalty shall be a fine under this title or imprisonment for any term of years or for life, or both.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subsection (b)(l)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
`(B) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of a violation of subsection (a).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE III--COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF FEDERAL EFFORT AGAINST COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY
Subtitle A--Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative
SEC. 301. OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT REPRESENTATIVE.
(a) Establishment Within Executive Office of the President- There is established within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative (in this title referred to as `the Office').CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative- The head of the Office shall be the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative (in this title referred to as the `IP Enforcement Representative') who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. As an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate, any nomination of the IP Enforcement Representative submitted to the Senate for confirmation, and referred to a committee, shall be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Duties of IP Enforcement Representative-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The IP Enforcement Representative shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) have primary responsibility for developing the Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy under section 321 and facilitating the implementation of the Joint Strategic Plan by the departments and agencies listed in subsection (d)(2)(A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) serve as a principal advisor to the President on domestic and international intellectual property enforcement policy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) assist the United States Trade Representative--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) concerning negotiations on behalf of the United States relating to international intellectual property enforcement, including negotiations on any intellectual property enforcement matter considered under the auspices of the World Trade Organization or in the course of commodity or direct investment negotiations in which the United States participates; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) in the programs of the United States Trade Representative to monitor and enforce intellectual property enforcement obligations of other countries under trade agreements with the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) coordinate the issuance of policy guidance to departments and agencies on basic issues of policy and interpretation that arise in the exercise of domestic and international intellectual property enforcement functions, to the extent necessary to assure the coordination of intellectual property enforcement policy and consistency with any other law;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(E) act as a principal spokesperson of the President on domestic and international intellectual property enforcement matters;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(F) report directly to the President and the Congress regarding domestic and international intellectual property enforcement programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(G) advise the President and the Congress with respect to domestic and international intellectual property enforcement challenges and priorities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(H) report to the Congress, as provided in section 322, on the implementation of the Joint Strategic Plan, and make recommendations to the Congress for improvements in Federal intellectual property enforcement efforts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(I) chair the interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee established under subsection (d)(2), and consult with such advisory committee in the performance of the functions of the IP Enforcement Representative; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(J) carry out such other functions as the President may direct.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY- The IP Enforcement Representative may not control or direct any law enforcement agency in the exercise of its investigative or prosecutorial authority in particular cases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) SENSE OF CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that the IP Enforcement Representative should--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) be a senior representative on any body that the President may establish for the purpose of providing to the President advice on overall policies in which intellectual property enforcement matters predominate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) be included as a participant in economic summit and other international meetings at which international intellectual property enforcement is a significant topic.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) DELEGATION- The IP Enforcement Representative may--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) delegate any of the IP Enforcement Representative's functions, powers, and duties to such officers and employees of the Office as the IP Enforcement Representative may designate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) authorize such successive redelegations of such functions, powers, and duties to such officers and employees of the Office as the IP Enforcement Representative considers appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement Actions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- In carrying out the functions of the IP Enforcement Representative, the IP Enforcement Representative shall develop recommendations on the allocation of Federal resources for intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) ADVISORY COMMITTEE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established an interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee composed of the IP Enforcement Representative, who shall chair the committee, and senior representatives of the following departments and agencies who are involved in intellectual property enforcement, and are appointed by the respective heads of those departments and agencies:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) The Department of Justice (including the Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer appointed under section 501).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) The United States Patent and Trademark Office and other relevant units of the Department of Commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iii) The Office of the United States Trade Representative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iv) The Department of State (including the United States Agency for International Development and the Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforcement).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(v) The Department of Homeland Security (including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(vi) The United States International Trade Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(vii) The Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(viii) The United States Copyright Office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ix) Such other agencies as the IP Enforcement Representative determines to be substantially involved in the efforts of the Federal Government to combat counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) FUNCTIONS- The advisory committee established under subparagraph (A) shall, under the guidance of the IP Enforcement Representative, develop the Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy under section 321.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT- The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee established under paragraph (2) or to any of the activities conducted by the IP Enforcement Representative in developing the Joint Strategic Plan under section 321.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Identification of Countries That Deny Adequate Protection of Intellectual Property Rights- Section 182(b)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 (
(f) Powers of IP Enforcement Representative- In carrying out the responsibilities under this title, the IP Enforcement Representative may--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) select, appoint, employ, and fix the compensation of such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out those responsibilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) request the head of a department, agency, or program of the Federal Government to place personnel of such department, agency, or program who are engaged in intellectual property enforcement activities on temporary detail to the Office of the IP Enforcement Representative to assist in carrying out those responsibilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) use, with the consent of the Federal, State, and local government agencies concerned, the available services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of such Federal, State, and local government agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with
(5) issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions vested in the IP Enforcement Representative;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) enter into and perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of the Office and on such terms as the IP Enforcement Representative considers appropriate, with any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or with any public or private person, firm, association, corporation, or institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) accept voluntary and uncompensated services, notwithstanding the provisions of
(8) adopt an official seal, which shall be judicially noticed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(9) accept, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(g) Compensation-
`United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 302. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this title, the term `intellectual property enforcement' means matters relating to the enforcement of laws protecting copyrights, patents, trademarks, other forms of intellectual property, and trade secrets, both in the United States and abroad, including in particular matters relating to combating counterfeit and pirated goods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Joint Strategic Plan
SEC. 321. JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) Purpose- The objectives of the Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy that is referred to in section 301(c)(1)(A) (in this section referred to as the `joint strategic plan') are the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) Reducing counterfeit and pirated goods in the domestic and international supply chain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) Identifying and addressing structural weaknesses, systemic flaws, or other unjustified impediments to effective enforcement action against the financing, production, trafficking, or sale of counterfeit or pirated goods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) Assuring that information is identified and shared among the relevant departments and agencies, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with law enforcement protocols for handling information, to aid in the objective of arresting and prosecuting individuals and entities that are knowingly involved in the financing, production, trafficking, or sale of counterfeit or pirated goods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) Disrupting and eliminating domestic and international counterfeiting and piracy networks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) Strengthening the capacity of other countries to protect and enforce intellectual property rights, and reducing the number of countries that fail to enforce laws preventing the financing, production, trafficking, and sale of counterfeit and pirated goods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) Working with other countries to establish international standards and policies for the effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) Protecting intellectual property rights overseas by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) working with other countries to ensure that such countries--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) have adequate and effective laws protecting copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other forms of intellectual property;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) have legal regimes that enforce their own domestic intellectual property laws, eliminate counterfeit and piracy operations, and arrest and prosecute those who commit intellectual property crimes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iii) provide their law enforcement officials with the authority to seize, inspect, and destroy pirated and counterfeit goods, including at ports of entry; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iv) provide for the seizure of property used to produce pirated and counterfeit goods;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) exchanging information with appropriate law enforcement agencies in other countries relating to individuals and entities involved in the financing, production, trafficking, or sale of pirated or counterfeit goods;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) using the information described in subparagraph (B) to conduct enforcement activities in cooperation with appropriate law enforcement agencies in other countries; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) building a formal process for consulting with companies, industry associations, labor unions, and other interested groups in other countries with respect to intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Timing- Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than December 31 of every third year thereafter, the IP Enforcement Representative shall submit the joint strategic plan to the President, to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Responsibility of the IP Enforcement Representative- During the development of the joint strategic plan, the IP Enforcement Representative--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) shall consult and coordinate with the appropriate officers and employees of departments and agencies represented on the advisory committee appointed under section 301(d)(2) who are involved in intellectual property enforcement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) may consult with private sector experts in intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Responsibilities of Other Departments and Agencies- To assist in the development and implementation of the joint strategic plan, the heads of the departments and agencies identified under section 301(d)(2)(A) (including the heads of any other agencies identified by the IP Enforcement Representative under section 301(d)(2)(A)(ix)) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) designate personnel with expertise and experience in intellectual property enforcement matters to work with the IP Enforcement Representative; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) share relevant department or agency information with the IP Enforcement Representative, including statistical information on the enforcement activities of the department or agency against counterfeiting or piracy, and plans for addressing the joint strategic plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Contents of the Joint Strategic Plan- Each joint strategic plan shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) A detailed description of the priorities identified for carrying out the objectives in the joint strategic plan, including activities of the Federal Government relating to intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) A detailed description of the means and methods to be employed to achieve the priorities, including the means and methods for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government's enforcement efforts against counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) Estimates of the resources necessary to fulfill the priorities identified under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) The performance measures to be used to monitor results under the joint strategic plan during the following year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) An analysis of the threat posed by violations of intellectual property rights, including targets, risks, and threats of intellectual property infringement, the costs to the economy of the United States resulting from violations of intellectual property laws, and the threats to public health and safety created by counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) An identification of the departments and agencies that will be involved in implementing each priority under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) A strategy for ensuring coordination between the IP Enforcement Representative and the departments and agencies identified under paragraph (6), including a process for oversight by the executive branch of, and accountability among, the departments and agencies responsible for carrying out the strategy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(8) Such other information as is necessary to convey the costs imposed on the United States economy by, and the threats to public health and safety created by, counterfeiting and piracy, and those steps that the Federal Government intends to take over the period covered by the succeeding joint strategic plan to reduce those costs and counter those threats.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(f) Enhancing Enforcement Efforts of Foreign Governments- The joint strategic plan shall include programs to provide training and technical assistance to foreign governments for the purpose of enhancing the efforts of such governments to enforce laws against counterfeiting and piracy. With respect to such programs, the joint strategic plan shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) seek to enhance the efficiency and consistency with which Federal resources are expended, and seek to minimize duplication, overlap, or inconsistency of efforts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) identify and give priority to those countries where programs of training and technical assistance can be carried out most effectively and with the greatest benefit to reducing counterfeit and pirated products in the United States market, to protecting the intellectual property rights of United States persons and their licensees, and to protecting the interests of United States persons otherwise harmed by violations of intellectual property rights in those countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) in identifying the priorities under paragraph (2), be guided by the list of countries identified by the United States Trade Representative under section 182(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (
(4) develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of the Federal Government's efforts to improve the laws and enforcement practices of foreign governments against counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(g) Dissemination of the Joint Strategic Plan- The joint strategic plan shall be posted for public access on the website of the White House, and shall be disseminated to the public through such other means as the IP Enforcement Representative may identify.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 322. REPORTING.
(a) Annual Report- Not later than December 31 of each calendar year beginning in 2009, the IP Enforcement Representative shall submit a report on the activities of the Office during the preceding fiscal year. The annual report shall be submitted to the President and the Congress, and disseminated to the people of the United States, in the manner specified in subsections (b) and (g) of section 321.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Contents- The report required by this section shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) The progress made on implementing the strategic plan and on the progress toward fulfillment of the priorities identified under section 321(e), including an analysis of the performance measures used to monitor results described in section 321(e)(4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) The progress made in efforts to encourage Federal, State, and local government departments and agencies to accord higher priority to intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) The progress made in working with foreign countries to investigate, arrest, and prosecute entities and individuals involved in the financing, production, trafficking, and sale of counterfeit and pirated goods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) The manner in which the relevant departments and agencies are working together and sharing information to strengthen intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) An assessment of the successes and shortcomings of the efforts of the Federal Government, including departments and agencies represented on the committee established under section 301(d)(2)(A), in fulfilling the priorities identified in the applicable joint strategic plan during the preceding fiscal year and in implementing the recommendations developed under section 301(d)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) Recommendations for any changes in enforcement statutes, regulations, or funding levels that the IP Representative considers would significantly improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the effort of the Federal Government to combat counterfeiting and piracy and otherwise strengthen intellectual property enforcement, including through the elimination or consolidation of duplicative programs or initiatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) The progress made in strengthening the capacity of countries to protect and enforce intellectual property rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(8) The successes and challenges in sharing with other countries information relating to intellectual property enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(9) The progress of the United States Trade Representative in taking the appropriate action under any trade agreement or treaty to protect intellectual property rights of United States persons and their licensees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 323. SAVINGS AND REPEALS.
(a) Repeal of Coordination Council- Section 653 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 (
(b) Current Authorities Not Affected- Except as provided in subsection (a), nothing in this title shall alter the authority of any department or agency of the United States (including any independent agency) that relates to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) the investigation and prosecution of violations of laws that protect intellectual property rights;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) the administrative enforcement, at the borders of the United States, of laws that protect intellectual property rights; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) the United States trade agreements program or international trade.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Register of Copyrights- Nothing in this title shall derogate from the duties and functions of the Register of Copyrights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 324. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Submission of Projected Budget- By not later than the date on which the President submits to the Congress the budget of the United States Government for a fiscal year, the IP Representative shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate the projected amount of funds for the succeeding fiscal year that will be necessary for the Office to carry out its functions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL ENFORCEMENT AND COORDINATION
SEC. 401. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ATTACHES.
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (in this title referred to as the `Director'), in consultation with the Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, shall, within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, appoint at least 10 intellectual property attaches to serve in United States embassies or other diplomatic missions. The appointments under this section shall be in addition to those individuals serving in the capacity of intellectual property attaches at United States embassies or other diplomatic missions on the date of the enactment of this Act. The Director shall provide such managerial, administrative, research, and other services as the Secretary of Commerce considers necessary to assist the intellectual property attaches in carrying out their responsibilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 402. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ATTACHES.
The intellectual property attaches appointed under section 401, as well as others serving as intellectual property attaches of the Department of Commerce, shall have the following responsibilities:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) To promote cooperation with foreign governments in the enforcement of intellectual property laws generally, and in the enforcement of laws against counterfeiting and piracy in particular.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) To assist United States persons holding intellectual property rights, and the licensees of such United States persons, in their efforts to combat counterfeiting and piracy of their products or works within the host country, including counterfeit or pirated goods exported from or transshipped through that country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) To chair an intellectual property protection task force consisting of representatives from all other relevant sections or bureaus of the embassy or other mission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) To coordinate with representatives of the embassies or missions of other countries in information sharing, private or public communications with the government of the host country, and other forms of cooperation for the purpose of improving enforcement against counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) As appropriate and in accordance with applicable laws and the diplomatic status of the attaches, to engage in public education efforts against counterfeiting and piracy in the host country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) To coordinate training and technical assistance programs of the United States Government within the host country that are aimed at improving the enforcement of laws against counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) To assist in the coordination of the efforts of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative, Federal agencies, and private organizations engaged in the promotion of United States intellectual property interests abroad so as to maximize their effectiveness and minimize duplicative efforts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(8) To identify and promote other means to more effectively combat counterfeiting and piracy activities under the jurisdiction of the host country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 403. TRAINING AND DESIGNATION OF ASSIGNMENT.
(a) Training of Attaches- The Director shall ensure that each attache appointed under section 401 is fully trained for the responsibilities of the position before assuming duties at the United States embassy or other mission in question.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Priority Assignments- In designating the embassies or other missions to which attaches are assigned, the Director shall give priority to those countries where the activities of an attache can be carried out most effectively and with the greatest benefit to reducing counterfeit and pirated products in the United States market, to protecting the intellectual property rights of United States persons and their licensees, or to protecting the interests of United States persons otherwise harmed by violations of intellectual property rights in those countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 404. COORDINATION.
(a) In General- The activities authorized by this title shall be carried out in coordination with the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative appointed under section 301.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Report on Attaches- The Inspector General of the Department of Commerce shall perform yearly audits of the intellectual property attaches of the Department, and shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate the results of each such audit. In addition to an overview of the activities and effectiveness of the intellectual property attache operations, the audit shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) an evaluation of the current placement of foreign-based personnel and recommendations for transferring such personnel in response to newly emerging intellectual property issues abroad; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) an evaluation of the personnel system and its management, including the recruitment, assignment, promotion, and performance appraisal of personnel, and the use of limited appointees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 405. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for the training and support of the intellectual property attaches appointed under section 401 and of other individuals serving as intellectual property attaches of the Department of Commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE V--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
Subtitle A--Coordination
SEC. 501. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
(a) Establishment- There is established within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice the `Intellectual Property Enforcement Division'. The head of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division shall be the Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (in this title referred to as the `IP Officer'). The IP Officer shall be appointed by the Attorney General and shall report directly to the Deputy Attorney General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Duties- The IP Officer shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) coordinate all efforts of the Department of Justice relating to the enforcement of intellectual property rights and to combating counterfeiting and piracy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) serve as the lead representative of the Department of Justice on the advisory committee provided for in section 301(d)(2) and as the liaison of the Department of Justice with foreign governments with respect to training conducted under section 522; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) carry out such other related duties that may be assigned by the Deputy Attorney General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Transfer of Functions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) CRIMINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT- There are transferred to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division those functions of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice that relate to the enforcement of criminal laws relating to the protection of intellectual property rights and trade secrets, including the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) Sections 506 and 1204 of title 17, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) Sections 2318 through 2320 of title 18, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) Sections 1831 and 1832 of title 18, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) Any other provision of law, including the following, to the extent such provision involves the enforcement of any provision of law referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (C) or comparable provision of law:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv) Section 633 of the Communications Act of 1934 (
(v) Section 705 of the Communications Act of 1934 (
(2) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT COORDINATORS- The Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators of the Department of Justice to whom section 521 applies shall also be in the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Law Enforcement Resources
SEC. 511. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.
(a) Authorization- Section 2 of the Computer Crime Enforcement Act (
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting after `computer crime' each place it appears the following: `, including infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subsection (e)(1), relating to authorization of appropriations, by striking `fiscal years 2001 through 2004' and inserting `fiscal years 2009 through 2013'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Grants- The Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice shall make grants to eligible State or local law enforcement entities, including law enforcement agencies of municipal governments and public educational institutions, for training, prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of intellectual property theft and infringement crimes (in this subsection referred to as `IP-TIC grants'), in accordance with the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) USE OF IP-TIC GRANT AMOUNTS- IP-TIC grants may be used to establish and develop programs to do the following with respect to the enforcement of State and local true name and address laws and State and local criminal laws on anti-piracy, anti-counterfeiting, and unlawful acts with respect to goods by reason of their protection by a patent, trademark, service mark, trade secret, or other intellectual property right under State or Federal law:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) Assist State and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing those laws, including by reimbursing State and local entities for expenses incurred in performing enforcement operations, such as overtime payments and storage fees for seized evidence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) Assist State and local law enforcement agencies in educating the public to prevent, deter, and identify violations of those laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) Educate and train State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors to conduct investigations and forensic analyses of evidence and prosecutions in matters involving those laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) Establish task forces that include personnel from State or local law enforcement entities, or both, exclusively to conduct investigations and forensic analyses of evidence and prosecutions in matters involving those laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(E) Assist State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors in acquiring computer and other equipment to conduct investigations and forensic analyses of evidence in matters involving those laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(F) Facilitate and promote the sharing, with State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors, of the expertise and information of Federal law enforcement agencies about the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of matters involving those laws and criminal infringement of copyrighted works, including the use of multi-jurisdictional task forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible to receive an IP-TIC grant, a State or local government entity must provide to the Attorney General--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) assurances that the State in which the government entity is located has in effect laws described in paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) an assessment of the resource needs of the State or local government entity applying for the grant, including information on the need for reimbursements of base salaries and overtime costs, storage fees, and other expenditures to improve the investigation, prevention, or enforcement of laws described in paragraph (1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) a plan for coordinating the programs funded under this section with other federally funded technical assistance and training programs, including directly funded local programs such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program authorized by subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (
(3) MATCHING FUNDS- The Federal share of an IP-TIC grant may not exceed 90 percent of the costs of the program or proposal funded by the IP-TIC grant, unless the Attorney General waives, in whole or in part, the 90 percent requirement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) AUTHORIZATION- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection the sum of $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) LIMITATION- Of the amount made available to carry out this subsection in any fiscal year, not more than 3 percent may be used by the Attorney General for salaries and administrative expenses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 512. CHIP UNITS, TRAINING, AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
(a) Evaluation of CHIP Units- The Attorney General shall review the allocation and activities of the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (in this section referred to as `CHIP') units that have been established in various Federal judicial districts, with the goals of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) improving the effectiveness of CHIP units in investigating and prosecuting criminal offenses arising from counterfeiting or piracy activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) ensuring that CHIP units are established and funded in every judicial district in which they can be effectively deployed;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) upgrading the training and expertise of Department of Justice personnel participating in CHIP units; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) improving the coordination of the activities of CHIP units with corresponding efforts of State and local law enforcement agencies operating within the Federal judicial district in question.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Requirements- In addition to any initiatives undertaken as a result of the review conducted under subsection (a), the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) each CHIP unit is supported by at least 2 additional agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of investigating intellectual property crimes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) each CHIP unit is assigned at least 1 additional assistant United States attorney to support such unit for the purpose of prosecuting intellectual property crimes or other crimes involved in counterfeiting or piracy activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) CHIP units are established and staffed in at least 10 Federal judicial districts in addition to those districts in which CHIP units exist on the date of the enactment of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) an operational unit is created consisting of not less than 5 agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, attached to the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., and dedicated to working with the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division established by section 501 on the development, investigation, and coordination of complex, multi-district, and international criminal intellectual property cases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Coordination With State and Local Authorities- The United States attorney for each Federal judicial district in which a CHIP unit is in operation shall ensure that the activities of that unit are coordinated with the corresponding activities of State and local law enforcement agencies operating within that Federal judicial district in the investigation of intellectual property crimes and other crimes involved in counterfeiting or piracy, including by coordinating Federal, State, and local operations and intelligence sharing to the extent appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Additional Responsibilities of the Attorney General- The Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as appropriate, shall ensure the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) All assistant United States attorneys who are assigned to CHIP units, and all agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who support those units, have received advanced training, on an annual basis, in the investigation and prosecution of intellectual property crimes and other crimes involved in counterfeiting and piracy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) All relevant units of the Department of Justice are allocated sufficient funding and other resources as may be necessary to provide expert computer forensic assistance, including from nongovernmental entities, in investigating and prosecuting intellectual property crimes in a timely manner. For purposes of this paragraph, the term `all relevant units' includes those officers and employees assigned to carry out the functions transferred by section 501(c)(1), CHIP units, offices of the United States attorneys, and units of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that are engaged in the investigation of intellectual property crimes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 513. TRANSPARENCY OF PROSECUTORIAL DECISIONMAKING.
(a) In General- The Attorney General shall direct each United States attorney--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) to review the formal or informal standards currently in effect in that Federal judicial district for accepting or declining prosecution of cases involving criminal violations of intellectual property laws;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) to consider whether the standards should be modified or applied more flexibly--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) to ensure that significant violations are not being declined for prosecution inappropriately; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) in light of the broader impact of individual cases on the overall strategy to combat counterfeiting and piracy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) to review the practices and procedures currently in place for providing information to complainants and victims in cases and investigations involving criminal violations of intellectual property laws regarding the status of such cases and investigations, including the practices and procedures for apprising interested parties of the decision to decline prosecution of such cases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Construction-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) PROSECUTORIAL MATTERS- Nothing in this section shall be construed to impinge on the appropriate exercise of prosecutorial discretion with respect to cases involving criminal violations of intellectual property laws or to require the promulgation of formal standards or thresholds regarding prosecution of any cases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) NO CLAIMS, ETC., MAY BE ASSERTED- Nothing in the section shall give rise to any claim, cause of action, defense, privilege, or immunity that may be asserted by any party to Federal litigation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 514. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle C--International Activities
SEC. 521. INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ENFORCEMENT COORDINATORS.
(a) Deployment of Additional Coordinators- The Attorney General shall, within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, deploy 5 Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators, in addition to those serving in such capacity on such date of enactment. Such deployments shall be made to those countries and regions where the activities of such a coordinator can be carried out most effectively and with the greatest benefit to reducing counterfeit and pirated products in the United States market, to protecting the intellectual property rights of United States persons and their licensees, and to protecting the interests of United States persons otherwise harmed by violations of intellectual property rights in those countries. The mission of all International Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) Acting as liaison with foreign law enforcement agencies and other foreign officials in criminal matters involving intellectual property rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) Performing outreach and training to build the enforcement capacity of foreign governments against intellectual property-related crime in the regions in which the coordinators serve.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) Coordinating United States law enforcement activities against intellectual property-related crimes in the regions in which the coordinators serve.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) Coordinating with the activities of the intellectual property attaches appointed under title IV in the countries or regions to which the coordinators are deployed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) Coordinating the activities of the coordinators with the IP Officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for the deployment and support of all International Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinators of the Department of Justice, including those deployed under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 522. INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES OF THE COMPUTER CRIME AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECTION.
(a) Increased Training and Technical Assistance to Foreign Governments- The Attorney General shall increase the efforts of the Department of Justice to provide training and technical assistance to foreign governments, including foreign law enforcement agencies and foreign courts, to more effectively combat counterfeiting and piracy activities falling within the jurisdiction of such governments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Conduct of Programs- The increased training and technical assistance programs under subsection (a) shall be carried out by the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division established by section 501, as well as through such other divisions, sections, or agencies of the Department of Justice as the Attorney General may direct.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Priority Countries- The Attorney General, in providing increased training and technical assistance programs under this section, shall give priority to those countries where such programs can be carried out most effectively and with the greatest likelihood of reducing counterfeit and pirated products in the United States market, of protecting the intellectual property rights of United States persons, or of protecting the interests of United States persons otherwise harmed by violations of intellectual property rights in those countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle D--Coordination, Implementation, and Reporting
SEC. 531. COORDINATION.
The IP officer shall ensure that activities undertaken under this title are carried out in a manner consistent with the joint strategic plan developed under section 321.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 532. ANNUAL REPORTS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on ac-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
tions taken to carry out this title, including a report on the activities of the IP Officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Passed the House of Representatives May 8, 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Clerk.
Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
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U.S. Congress - Text of H.R.4279 as Referred in Senate PRO-IP Act of 2007



