Internet “Death Penalty” for Copyright Pirates

Several U.S. Senators, including Connecticut’s Richard Blumenthal, have recently introduced the Protect IP Act, a bill that would allow courts to order internet search engines, domain name system providers, and internet advertising firms to block access to websites suspected of online piracy and illegal content distribution. According to an article posted on CNET.com, such an order could effectively serve as a death sentence for pirate web sites by essentially making them invisible. The bill is backed by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the Motions Picture Association of America.