Politech: Justice Department, FBI want new anti-piracy powers [ip]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

News article:
http://news.com.com/Justice+Dept.+wants+new+antipiracy+powers/2100-1028_3-5406654.html?tag=nefd.top

The report itself:
http://www.cybercrime.gov/IPTaskForceReport.pdf

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2004       (202) 514-2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV           TDD (202) 514-1888


ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUSTICE 
DEPARTMENT'S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TASK FORCE
	LOS ANGELES - Attorney General John Ashcroft and U. S. Attorney Debra 
W. Yang today announced the recommendations of the Justice Department's 
Intellectual Property Task Force, created by the Attorney General on 
March 31, 2004 to examine all aspects of how the Department handles 
intellectual property issues and report on proposals for future activity.
	"Intellectual property theft is a clear danger to our economy and the 
health, safety, and security of the American people," said Attorney 
General Ashcroft.  "The enforcement of our intellectual property laws is 
among the highest priorities of the Justice Department, and I created 
the Intellectual Property Task Force to explore ways for us to 
strengthen our protection of the nation's valuable intellectual 
resources.  With the recommendations put forward by the Task Force, the 
Department is prepared to build the strongest, most aggressive legal 
assault against intellectual property crime in our nation's history."
"I am confident that our nation's creative and intellectual resources 
will be better protected when the recommendations of the Task Force 
report are implemented.  The Justice Department will have additional 
tools to fight movie theft and product counterfeiting," said U.S. 
Attorney Yang.  "With the increased protection and new law enforcement 
resources, our nation's intellectual property will continue to enhance 
our daily lives and play a role in the continued growth of the American 
economy."
	The Intellectual Property Task Force examined intellectual property 
(IP) issues as they relate to criminal law, civil law, international 
treaties and obligations, legislative and regulatory proposals, and 
overall public awareness.  David Israelite, Deputy Chief of Staff to the 
Attorney General, served as chairman of the Task Force and led its 
six-month investigation.
	In addition to recommendations regarding civil and antitrust 
enforcement of IP laws, the Task Force's proposals include:
*	Charging and prosecuting all intellectual property crimes whenever 
federal law applies, including organized crime, fraud, and illegal 
importation cases, in addition to strengthening the Justice Department's 
ability to bring those cases;
*	Updating the legal tools that help the United States to charge IP 
criminals overseas under American law;
*	Encouraging respect for intellectual property rights through youth 
education programs; and
*	Increasing cooperation with individuals, businesses, and industries 
that have been victimized by IP theft.
Intellectual property industries play a significant role in the American 
economy.  They make up approximately six percent of the gross domestic 
product, employ more than five million people, and contribute $626 
billion to the U.S. economy.  The increasing value of intellectual 
property, coupled with the ease and low cost of copyright infringement, 
has significantly increased the destructive consequences of intellectual 
property theft.
Well-organized criminal enterprises have recently begun to increase the 
scale, scope, and sophistication of international theft and 
counterfeiting.  Given the simplicity of disseminating millions of 
copies of stolen software, music, video, and other products and programs 
around the globe with a single computer click, and given the 
inconsistent enforcement of existing laws worldwide, it is imperative 
that intellectual property rights be reaffirmed and vigorously protected.
	The Department of Justice has been committed to the prevention of theft 
and counterfeiting of copyrighted hard goods and online materials. 
Operation Fastlink - announced in April 2004 and led by the Department's 
Criminal Division and the FBI - constituted the largest international 
law enforcement effort ever undertaken against online theft.  Operation 
Digital Gridlock, announced in August 2004, targeted IP theft over 
peer-to-peer networks and resulted in the seizure of more than 40 
terabytes of material.  The Justice Department's Computer Hacking and 
Intellectual Property (CHIP) Units have been expanded according to the 
Attorney General's directive to prosecute those who are responsible for 
cybercrime.  The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section 
(CCIPS) of the Department's Criminal Division has also been expanded, 
providing additional resources to fight theft.
###

04-693



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