In a recent case, the US federal authority caught seven individuals and two companies for online piracy. The Department of Justice charged them with; copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering. Several incidences of online piracy are on the increase; legitimate copyright holders lose millions of dollars (Keizer, 1).
Online piracy targets the distribution of television programs, movies, e-books, music, business, and entertainment software. The Federal Bureau of Investigation acted fast in arresting the Mega-upload culprits and seizing over $50 million in assets. According to Lever (1), a new program, ‘six strikes’, seeks to eliminate online piracy. It involves delivery of warnings to the offenders before further action occurs.
A bill introduced by Lamar S. Smith, a US Representative, increases the power law enforcement has on handling online piracy including; trafficking of copyrighted property and, counterfeit goods. The Stop Online Piracy Act enables law enforcers acquire court orders stopping online criminals from carrying out their activities (Pike, 1). They block the websites and issue penalties of up to 5 years in prison (Mashable, 1). Those in support of the act view it as a protection of the intellectual-property market through the improvement of copyright laws.
Thomson (1) states that SOPA cripples the need for online security and free speech rights in the US constitution. It hiders the easy flow of ideas and information online. Technological advancement comes with its ups and downs. It is crucial to come up with remedies for the challenges while taking advantage of the benefits.
Works Cited
Keizer, Gregg. “Feds Charge 7 in ‘Massive’ Case against Mega-upload Online Piracy Ring”. Computer World, (2012): Web. Available from
Lever, Rob. “US Braces for ‘six strikes’ Online Piracy Program”. Phys, (2013): Web. Available from < http://www.phys.org/news/2013-01-braces-online-piracy.html > [Accessed May 2nd 2013]
Mashable. “Stop Online Piracy Act”. (2013): Web. Available from < http://www.mashable.com/category/stop-online-piracy-act/ > [Accessed May 2nd 2013]
Pike, George. Stop Online Piracy Act. American Association of Law Libraries, (2012): Web. Available from < http://www.aallnet.org/Documents/Government-Relations/Issue-Briefs- and-Reports/2012/SOPAonepaper.pdf > [Accessed May 2nd 2013]
Thomson, Iain. “Anti-piracy Laws will Smash Internet, US Constitution- Legal Eagles”. The Register, (2011): Web. Available from < http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/20/us_ip_fail_internet_constitution/ > [Accessed May 2nd 2013]
