Most commented sections:

• Paragraph 211 (7 comments)
• Paragraph 348 (5 comments)
• Paragraph 292 (5 comments)

S 968 ISRSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Calendar No. 70CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

S. 968CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 12, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. HATCH, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. SCHUMER, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. KOHL, Mr. COONS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, and Mr. RUBIO) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 26, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Reported by Mr. LEAHY, with an amendmentCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property, 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.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011’ or the ‘PROTECT IP Act of 2011’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this Act-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the term ‘domain name’ has the same meaning as in section 45 of the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1127); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the term ‘domain name system server’ means a server or other mechanism used to provide the Internet protocol address associated with a domain name; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the term ‘financial transaction provider’ has the same meaning as insection 5362(4) of title 31, United States Code; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the term ‘information location tool’ has the same meaning as described in subsection (d) ofsection 512 of title 17, United States Code; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the term ‘Internet advertising service’ means a service that for compensation sells, purchases, brokers, serves, inserts, verifies, or clears the placement of an advertisement, including a paid or sponsored search result, link, or placement that is rendered in viewable form for any period of time on an Internet site; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the term ‘Internet site’ means the collection of digital assets, including links, indexes, or pointers to digital assets, accessible through the Internet that are addressed relative to a common domain name; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the term ‘Internet site dedicated to infringing activities’ means an Internet site that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) has no significant use other than engaging in, enabling, or facilitating the-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) reproduction, distribution, or public performance of copyrighted works, in complete or substantially complete form, in a manner that constitutes copyright infringement undersection 501 of title 17, United States Code; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) violation ofsection 1201 of title 17, United States Code; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) sale, distribution, or promotion of goods, services, or materials bearing a counterfeit mark, as that term is defined in section 34(d) of the Lanham Act; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) is designed, operated, or marketed by its operator or persons operating in concert with the operator, and facts or circumstances suggest is used, primarily as a means for engaging in, enabling, or facilitating the activities described under clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) the term ‘Lanham Act’ means the Act entitled ‘An Act to provide for the registration and protection of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the provisions of certain international conventions, and for other purposes’, approved July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as the ‘Trademark Act of 1946’ or the ‘Lanham Act’); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) the term ‘nondomestic domain name’ means a domain name for which the domain name registry that issued the domain name and operates the relevant top level domain, and the domain name registrar for the domain name, are not located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) the term ‘owner’ or ‘operator’ when used in connection with an Internet site shall include, respectively, any owner of a majority interest in, or any person with authority to operate, such Internet site; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) the term ‘qualifying plaintiff’ means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Attorney General of the United States; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an owner of an intellectual property right, or one authorized to enforce such right, harmed by the activities of an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities occurring on that Internet site. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. ENHANCING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ROGUE WEBSITES OPERATED AND REGISTERED OVERSEAS.

(a) Commencement of an Action- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN PERSONAM- The Attorney General may commence an in personam action against-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a registrant of a nondomestic domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an owner or operator of an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities accessed through a nondomestic domain name. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IN REM- If through due diligence the Attorney General is unable to find a person described in subparagraphs (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), or no such person found has an address within a judicial district of the United States, the Attorney General may commence an in rem action against a nondomestic domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) IDENTIFICATION OF ENTITIES- Any action commenced by the Attorney General under this section shall identify the entities which may be required to take actions pursuant to subsection (d) if an order issues pursuant to subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Orders of the Court- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- On application of the Attorney General following the commencement of an action under this section, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or an injunction, in accordance with rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, against the nondomestic domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, or against a registrant of such domain name, or the owner or operator of such Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, to cease and desist from undertaking any further activity as an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, if-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the domain name is used within the United States to access such Internet site; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Internet site-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) conducts business directed to residents of the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) harms holders of United States intellectual property rights. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DETERMINATION BY THE COURT- For purposes of determining whether an Internet site conducts business directed to residents of the United States under paragraph (1)(B)(i), a court may consider, among other indicia, whether-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Internet site is providing goods or services described in section 2(7) to users located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) there is evidence that the Internet site is not intended to provide-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) such goods and services to users located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) access to such goods and services to users located in the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) delivery of such goods and services to users located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Internet site has reasonable measures in place to prevent such goods and services from being accessed from or delivered to the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Internet site offers services obtained in the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) any prices for goods and services are indicated in the currency of the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Notice and Service of Process- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Upon commencing an action under this section, the Attorney General shall send a notice of the alleged violation and intent to proceed under this Act to the registrant of the domain name of the Internet site-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) at the postal and e-mail address appearing in the applicable publicly accessible database of registrations, if any and to the extent such addresses are reasonably available; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) via the postal and e-mail address of the registrar, registry, or other domain name registration authority that registered or assigned the domain name, to the extent such addresses are reasonably available; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in any other such form as the court finds necessary, including as may be required by Rule 4(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- For purposes of this section, the actions described in this subsection shall constitute service of process. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) OTHER NOTICE- Upon commencing an action under this section, the Attorney General shall also provide notice to entities identified in the complaint, or any amendments thereto, which may be required to take action pursuant to subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Required Actions Based on Court Orders- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SERVICE- A Federal law enforcement officer, with the prior approval of the court, may serve a copy of a court order issued pursuant to this section on similarly situated entities within each class described in paragraph (2), which have been identified in the complaint, or any amendments thereto, pursuant to subsection (a). Proof of service shall be filed with the court. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REASONABLE MEASURES- After being served with a copy of an order pursuant to this subsection: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) OPERATORS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- An operator of a nonauthoritative domain name system server shall take the least burdensome technically feasible and reasonable measures designed to prevent the domain name described in the order from resolving to that domain name’s Internet protocol address, except that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) such operator shall not be required-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) other than as directed under this subparagraph, to modify its network, software, systems, or facilities; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) to take any measures with respect to domain name lookups not performed by its own domain name server or domain name system servers located outside the United States; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(cc) to continue to prevent access to a domain name to which access has been effectively disable by other means; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(II) nothing in this subparagraph shall affect the limitation on the liability of such an operator undersection 512 of title 17, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) TEXT OF NOTICE- The Attorney General shall prescribe the text of the notice displayed to users or customers of an operator taking an action pursuant to this subparagraph. Such text shall specify that the action is being taken pursuant to a court order obtained by the Attorney General. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDERS- A financial transaction provider shall take reasonable measures, as expeditiously as reasonable, designed to prevent, prohibit, or suspend its service from completing payment transactions involving customers located within the United States and the Internet site associated with the domain name set forth in the order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) INTERNET ADVERTISING SERVICES- An Internet advertising service that contracts with the Internet site associated with the domain name set forth in the order to provide advertising to or for that site, or which knowingly serves advertising to or for such site, shall take technically feasible and reasonable measures, as expeditiously as reasonable, designed to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) prevent its service from providing advertisements to the Internet site associated with such domain name; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) cease making available advertisements for that site, or paid or sponsored search results, links or other placements that provide access to the domain name. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) INFORMATION LOCATION TOOLS- An service provider of an information location tool shall take technically feasible and reasonable measures, as expeditiously as possible, to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) remove or disable access to the Internet site associated with the domain name set forth in the order; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) not serve a hypertext link to such Internet site. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMMUNICATION WITH USERS- Except as provided under paragraph (2)(A)(ii), an entity taking an action described in this subsection shall determine whether and how to communicate such action to the entity’s users or customers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- For purposes of an action commenced under this section, the obligations of an entity described in this subsection shall be limited to the actions set out in each paragraph or subparagraph applicable to such entity, and no order issued pursuant to this section shall impose any additional obligations on, or require additional actions by, such entity. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ACTIONS PURSUANT TO COURT ORDER- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IMMUNITY FROM SUIT- No cause of action shall lie in any Federal or State court or administrative agency against any entity receiving a court order issued under this subsection, or against any director, officer, employee, or agent thereof, for any act reasonably designed to comply with this subsection or reasonably arising from such order, other than in an action pursuant to subsection (e). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY- Any entity receiving an order under this subsection, and any director, officer, employee, or agent thereof, shall not be liable to any party for any acts reasonably designed to comply with this subsection or reasonably arising from such order, other than in an action pursuant to subsection (e), and any actions taken by customers of such entity to circumvent any restriction on access to the Internet domain instituted pursuant to this subsection or any act, failure, or inability to restrict access to an Internet domain that is the subject of a court order issued pursuant to this subsection despite good faith efforts to do so by such entity shall not be used by any person in any claim or cause of action against such entity, other than in an action pursuant to subsection (e). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Enforcement of Orders- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In order to compel compliance with this section, the Attorney General may bring an action for injunctive relief against any party receiving a court order issued pursuant to this section that knowingly and willfully fails to comply with such order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- The authority granted the Attorney General under paragraph (1) shall be the sole legal remedy for enforcing the obligations under this section of any entity described in subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DEFENSE- A defendant in an action under paragraph (1) may establish an affirmative defense by showing that the defendant does not have the technical means to comply with the subsection without incurring an unreasonable economic burden, or that the order is inconsistent with this Act. This showing shall serve as a defense only to the extent of such inability to comply or to the extent of such inconsistency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Modification or Vacation of Orders- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- At any time after the issuance of an order under subsection (b), a motion to modify, suspend, or vacate the order may be filed by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) any person, or owner or operator of property, bound by the order; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any registrant of the domain name, or the owner or operator of the Internet site subject to the order; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) any domain name registrar or registry that has registered or assigned the domain name of the Internet site subject to the order; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) any entity that has received a copy of an order pursuant to subsection (d) requiring such entity to take action prescribed in that subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RELIEF- Relief under this subsection shall be proper if the court finds that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Internet site associated with the domain name subject to the order is no longer, or never was, an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the interests of justice require that the order be modified, suspended, or vacated. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONSIDERATION- In making a relief determination under paragraph (2), a court may consider whether the domain name has expired or has been re-registered by a different party. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) INTERVENTION- An entity identified pursuant to subsection (a) as an entity which may be required to take action pursuant to subsection (d) if an order issues pursuant to subsection (b) may intervene at any time in any action commenced under subsection (a), or in any action to modify, suspend, or vacate an order pursuant to this subsection. Failure to intervene in an action does not prohibit an entity notified of the action from subsequently seeking an order to modify, suspend, or terminate an order issued by the court under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Related Actions- The Attorney General, if alleging that an Internet site previously adjudicated to be an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities is accessible or has been reconstituted at a different domain name, may commence a related action under this section against the additional domain name in the same judicial district as the previous action. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. ELIMINATING THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO STEAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ONLINE.

(a) Commencement of an Action- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN PERSONAM- A qualifying plaintiff may commence an in personam action against-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a registrant of a domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an owner or operator of an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities accessed through a domain name. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IN REM- If through due diligence a qualifying plaintiff is unable to find a person described in subparagraphs (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), or no such person found has an address within a judicial district of the United States, the Attorney Generalqualifying plaintiff may commence an in rem action against a domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) IDENTIFICATION OF ENTITIES- Any action commenced by a qualifying plaintiff under this section shall identify the entities which may be required to take actions pursuant to subsection (d) if an order issues pursuant to subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Orders of the Court- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- On application of a qualifying plaintiff following the commencement of an action under this section, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or an injunction, in accordance with rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, against the domain name used by an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, or against a registrant of such domain name, or the owner or operator of such Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, to cease and desist from undertaking any further activity as an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities, if-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the domain name is registered or assigned by a domain name registrar or domain name registry that located or doing business in the United States; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B)(i) the domain name is used within the United States to access such Internet site; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Internet site-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) conducts business directed to residents of the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) harms holders of United States intellectual property rights. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DETERMINATION BY THE COURT- For purposes of determining whether an Internet site conducts business directed to residents of the United States under paragraph (1)(B)(ii)(I), a court may consider, among other indicia, whether-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Internet site is providing goods or services described in section 2(7) to users located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) there is evidence that the Internet site is not intended to provide-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) such goods and services to users located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) access to such goods and services to users located in the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) delivery of such goods and services to users located in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Internet site has reasonable measures in place to prevent such goods and services from being accessed from or delivered to the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Internet site offers services obtained in the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) any prices for goods and services are indicated in the currency of the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Notice and Service of Process- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Upon commencing an action under this section, the qualifying plaintiff shall send a notice of the alleged violation and intent to proceed under this Act to the registrant of the domain name of the Internet site-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) at the postal and e-mail address appearing in the applicable publicly accessible database of registrations, if any and to the extent such addresses are reasonably available; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) via the postal and e-mail address of the registrar, registry, or other domain name registration authority that registered or assigned the domain name, to the extent such addresses are reasonably available; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in any other such form as the court finds necessary, including as may be required by Rule 4(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- For purposes of this section, the actions described in this subsection shall constitute service of process. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) OTHER NOTICE- Upon commencing an action under this section, the qualifying plaintiff shall also provide notice to entities identified in the complaint, or any amendments thereto, which may be required to take action pursuant to subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Required Actions Based on Court Orders- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SERVICE- A qualifying plaintiff, with the prior approval of the court, may, serve a copy of a court order issued pursuant to this section on similarly situated entities within each class described in paragraph (2), which have been identified in the complaint, or any amendments thereto, pursuant to subsection (a). Proof of service shall be filed with the court. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REASONABLE MEASURES- After being served with a copy of an order pursuant to this subsection: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDERS- A financial transaction provider shall take reasonable measures, as expeditiously as reasonable, designed to prevent, prohibit, or suspend its service from completing payment transactions involving customers located within the United States and the Internet site associated with the domain name set forth in the order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) INTERNET ADVERTISING SERVICES- An Internet advertising service that contracts with the Internet site associated with the domain name set forth in the order to provide advertising to or for that site, or which knowingly serves advertising to or for such site, shall take technically feasible and reasonable measures, as expeditiously as reasonable, designed to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) prevent its service from providing advertisements to the Internet site associated with such domain name; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) cease making available advertisements for that site, or paid or sponsored search results, links, or placements that provide access to the domain name. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMMUNICATION WITH USERS- An entity taking an action described in this subsection shall determine how to communicate such action to the entity’s users or customers. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- For purposes of an action commenced under this section, the obligations of an entity described in this subsection shall be limited to the actions set out in each paragraph or subparagraph applicable to such entity, and no order issued pursuant to this section shall impose any additional obligations on, or require additional actions by, such entity. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ACTIONS PURSUANT TO COURT ORDER- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IMMUNITY FROM SUIT- No cause of action shall lie in any Federal or State court or administrative agency against any entity receiving a court order issued under this subsection, or against any director, officer, employee, or agent thereof, for any act reasonably designed to comply with this subsection or reasonably arising from such order, other than in an action pursuant to subsection (e). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY- Any entity receiving an order under this subsection, and any director, officer, employee, or agent thereof, shall not be liable to any party for any acts reasonably designed to comply with this subsection or reasonably arising from such order, other than in an action pursuant to subsection (e), and any actions taken by customers of such entity to circumvent any restriction on access to the Internet domain instituted pursuant to this subsection or any act, failure, or inability to restrict access to an Internet domain that is the subject of a court order issued pursuant to this subsection despite good faith efforts to do so by such entity shall not be used by any person in any claim or cause of action against such entity, other than in an action pursuant to subsection (e). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Enforcement of Orders- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In order to compel compliance with this section, the qualifying plaintiff may bring an action for injunctive relief against any party receiving a court order issued pursuant to this section that knowingly and willfully fails to comply with such order. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- The authority granted a qualifying plaintiff under paragraph (1) shall be the sole legal remedy for enforcing the obligations under this section of any entity described in subsection (d). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DEFENSE- A defendant in an action commenced under paragraph (1) may establish an affirmative defense by showing that the defendant does not have the technical means to comply with the subsection without incurring an unreasonable economic burden, or that the order is inconsistent with this Act. This showing shall serve as a defense only to the extent of such inability to comply or to the extent of such inconsistency. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Modification or Vacation of Orders- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- At any time after the issuance of an order under subsection (b), a motion to modify, suspend, or vacate the order may be filed by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) any person, or owner or operator of property, bound by the order; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any registrant of the domain name, or the owner or operator of the Internet site subject to the order; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) any domain name registrar or registry that has registered or assigned the domain name of the Internet site subject to the order; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) any entity that has received a copy of an order pursuant to subsection (d) requiring such entity to take action prescribed in that subsection. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RELIEF- Relief under this subsection shall be proper if the court finds that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Internet site associated with the domain name subject to the order is no longer, or never was, dedicated to infringing activities as defined in this Act; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the interests of justice require that the order be modified, suspended, or vacated. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONSIDERATION- In making a relief determination under paragraph (2), a court may consider whether the domain name has expired or has been re-registered by a different party. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) INTERVENTION- An entity identified pursuant to subsection (a) as an entity which may be required to take action pursuant to subsection (d) if an order issues pursuant to subsection (b) may intervene at any time in any action commenced under subsection (a), or in any action to modify, suspend, or vacate an order pursuant to this subsection. Failure to intervene in an action does not prohibit an entity notified of the action from subsequently seeking an order to modify, suspend, or terminate an order issued by the court under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Related Actions- A qualifying plaintiff, if alleging that an Internet site previously adjudicated to be an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities is accessible or has been reconstituted at a different domain name, may commence a related action under this section against the additional domain name in the same judicial district as the previous action. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. VOLUNTARY ACTION AGAINST WEBSITES STEALING AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

(a) In General- No financial transaction provider or Internet advertising service shall be liable for damages to any person for voluntarily taking any action described in section 3(d) or 4(d) with regard to an Internet site if the entity acting in good faith and based on credible evidence has a reasonable belief that the Internet site is an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Internet Sites Engaged in Infringing Activities That Endanger the Public Health- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REFUSAL OF SERVICE- A domain name registry, domain name registrar, financial transaction provider, information location tool, or Internet advertising service, acting in good faith and based on credible evidence, may stop providing or refuse to provide services to an infringing Internet site that endangers the public health. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY- An entity described in paragraph (1), including its directors, officers, employees, or agents, that ceases or refused to provide services under paragraph (1) shall not be liable to any party under any Federal or State law for such action. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subsection-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the term ‘adulterated’ has the same meaning as in section 501 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 351); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an ‘infringing Internet site that endangers the public health’ means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) an Internet site dedicated to infringing activities for which the counterfeit products that it offers, sells, dispenses, or distributes are controlled or non-controlled prescription medication; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) an Internet site that has no significant use other than, or is designed, operated, or marketed by its operator or persons operating in concert with the operator, and facts or circumstances suggest is used, primarily as a means for-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) offering, selling, dispensing, or distributing any controlled or non-controlled prescription medication, and does so regularly without a valid prescription; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) offering, selling, dispensing, or distributing any controlled or non-controlled prescription medication, and does so regularly for medication that is adulterated or misbranded; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the term ‘misbranded’ has the same meaning as in section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 352); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the term ‘valid prescription’ has the same meaning as in section 309(e)(2)(A) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 829(e)(2)(A)). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. SAVINGS CLAUSES.

(a) Rule of Construction Relating to Civil and Criminal Remedies- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit or expand civil or criminal remedies available to any person (including the United States) for infringing activities on the Internet pursuant to any other Federal or State law. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Rule of Construction Relating to Vicarious or Contributory Liability- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to enlarge or diminish vicarious or contributory liability for any cause of action available under the Lanham Act or title 17, United States Code, including any limitations on liability under section 512 of such title 17, or to create an obligation to take action pursuant to section 5 of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Relationship With Section 512 of Title 17- Nothing in this Act, no identification of entities in section 3(a) or 4(a), no notice provided pursuant to section 3(c) or 4(c), no order issued pursuant to sections 3(b) or 4(b), and no order issued or served pursuant to sections 3 or 4 of this Act(d) or 4(d), shall serve as a basis for determining the application ofsection 512 of title 17, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. GUIDELINES AND STUDIES.

(a) Guidelines- The Attorney General shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) publish procedures developed in consultation with other relevant law enforcement agencies, including the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to receive information from the public about Internet sites dedicated to infringing activities;

(2) provide guidance to intellectual property rights holders about what information such rights holders should provide law enforcement agencies to initiate an investigation pursuant to this Act;

(3) provide guidance to intellectual property rights holders about how to supplement an ongoing investigation initiated pursuant to this Act;

(4) establish standards for prioritization of actions brought under this Act;

(5) provide appropriate resources and procedures for case management and development to affect timely disposition of actions brought under this Act; and

(6 and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(2) develop a deconfliction process in consultation with other law enforcement agencies, including the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to coordinate enforcement activities brought under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Reports- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CERTAIN MEASURES- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, shall conduct a study and report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) An assessment of the effects, if any, of the implementation of section 3(d)(2)(A) on the accessibility of Internet sites dedicated to infringing activity. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) An assessment of the effects, if any, of the implementation of section 3(d)(2)(A) on the deployment, security, and reliability of the domain name system and associated Internet processes, including Domain Name System Security Extensions. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Recommendations, if any, for modifying or amending this Act to increase effectiveness or ameliorate any unintended effects of section 3(d)(2)(A). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT ON OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS- The Register of Copyrights shall, in consultation with the appropriate departments and agencies of the United States and other stakeholders-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) conduct a study on-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the enforcement and effectiveness of this Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the burden of carrying out the requirements of this Act, if any, on intermediaries; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the need for cost reimbursement for intermediaries for carrying out the requirements of this Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iiv) the need to modify or amend this Act to apply to emerging technologies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) any recommendations that the Register may have as a result of the study. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ANNUAL OVERSIGHT REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives the following information with respect to the preceding year: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Each instance in which an action was commenced under section 3(a)(1) or 3(a)(2), and each instance in which an action was commenced by the Attorney General under section 4(a)(1) or 4(a)(2), including the name of any party against whom the action was brought. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Each instance in which a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or injunction was issued pursuant to section 3(b)(1), and each instance in which a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or injunction was issued pursuant to section 4(b)(1) in an action commenced by the Attorney General, including the name of any party against whom the order or injunction was issued. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Each instance in which an action commenced under section 3(a)(1) or 3(a)(2), or an action commenced by the Attorney General under section 4(a)(1) or 4(a)(2), was concluded without the issuance of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or injunction, including the reason for the conclusion of the action. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Each proof of service filed with the court pursuant to section 3(d)(1), or filed pursuant to section 4(d)(1) in an action commenced by the Attorney General. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Each action for injunctive relief brought pursuant to section 3(e), or brought pursuant to section 4(e) in an action commenced by the Attorney General, including the name of any party against whom the action for relief was brought. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Each motion granted by a court to modify, suspend or vacate an order that was filed under section 3(f)(1), or filed under section 4(f)(1) in an action commenced by the Attorney General, including the relief obtained. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) Each related action commenced pursuant to section 3(g), or commenced by the Attorney General pursuant to section 4(g), including the name of any party against whom an action was commenced. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) GAO REPORT ON PRIVATE ACTIONS- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Comptroller General shall report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representative each instance in the previous year in which an action was commenced under sections 4(a)(1) or 4(a)(2) by a qualifying plaintiff that is not the Attorney General, including the names of any parties to each such action. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. PREVENTING THE IMPORTATION OF COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS AND INFRINGING DEVICES.

Notwithstandingsection 1905 of title 18, United States Code-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) if United States Customs and Border Protection suspects a product of being imported or exported in violation of section 42 of the Lanham Act, and subject to any applicable bonding requirements, the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to share information on, and unredacted samples of, products and their packaging and labels, or photos of such products, packaging and labels, with the rightholders of the trademark suspected of being copied or simulated, for purposes of determining whether the products are prohibited from importation pursuant to such section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) upon seizure of material by United States Customs and Border Protection imported in violation of subsection (a)(2) or subsection (b) ofsection 1201 of title 17, United States Code, the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to share information about, and provide samples to affected parties, subject to any applicable bonding requirements, as to the seizure of material designed to circumvent technological measures or protection afforded by a technological measure that controls access to or protects the owner’s work protected by copyright under such title. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Calendar No. 70CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

S. 968CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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May 26, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Reported with an amendmentCommentsClose CommentsPermalink