Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act – Now Law
President George W. Bush signed the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act, an intellectual-property enforcement bill that would consolidate federal efforts to combat copyright infringement under a new White House cabinet position.
In addition to the executive branch the position of intellectual property enforcement coordinator, who will be appointed by the president, the law increases penalties for intellectual-property infringement. The Department of Justice will also received increased financing to coordinate federal and state efforts against counterfeiting and piracy. The so-called Pro-IP Act passed unanimously in the Senate last month and received strong bipartisan support in the House.
The Bush administration initially expressed its opposition to the legislation, but one of its more contentious provisions, which would have allowed the Justice Department to pursue civil litigation against copyright infringers, was removed.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, intellectual property in the U.S. is worth more than $5 trillion, and accounts for more than half of all U.S. exports.
