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"Two senators introduced a bill yesterday that could best be described as the only worst idea since Jar Jar Binks.\u00A0 The aim of the bill is to put the full force of the United States Department of Justice against any citizens who are audacious enough to use file sharing services to trade copyrighted materials.\u00A0 The bill, dubbed the Pirate Act, has surfaced in Wahington in several iterations before, but this time from Sen. Patrick Leah (D) and my local Senator, Sen. John Cornyn (R).The bill would give the Justice Department the ability to file civil lawsuits against P2P copyright infringers, with the proceeds going directly to the company or individual owning the copyright.\nThe bill receives strong support from the RIAA and MPAA, not surprisingly.\u00A0 Where the bill doesn't find strong support though is the Justice Department. Declan McCullagh called the idea \"something that people should take with a grain of salt\"\u2014and while \"the Justice Department is there to enforce the law, there's something to be said for those who help themselves.\"\nFrom the bill itself: the attorney general may commence a civil action in the appropriate United States district court against any person who engages in conduct constituting (a copyright) offense,\" and federal judges \"shall\" award \"restitution to the copyright owner aggrieved by the conduct.\"\nOther gems found within this version of the Pirate Act (outside of the civil enforcement measures) include the creation of a multi-national copyright enforcement operational unit under the umbrella of the FBI, additional funding to the FBI and Justice Department totalling near $32 million, and the added authority of the government to take away anything in your posession that could possibly aid you in your evil, piratey ways (i.e. your computer, iPod, desk chair, etc.).\nSince John Cornyn is my Senator with an office right across the street from mine, I decided to give him a ring, but he was unavailable for comment at the moment.\u00A0 With any luck, I'll be able to get him to sit down for a few minutes soon, and explain to me exactly why he thinks this is a good idea for a bill.\u00A0 If you have any questions or comments you'd like me to submit to the good Senator, please include them in your discussion in the comments field, and I'll attempt to incorporate them into my interview.\n[via]"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2007/11/08/government-piracy-legislation/>