Metalitz on Congressional Internet Caucus Panel Debating Anti-Piracy Legislation

November 11, 2011

MS&K Intellectual Property & Technology Partner Steve Metalitz was among the experts who, on November 10, debated the controversial (Senate) PROTECT IP and (House) SOPA legislation designed to combat online piracy by "rogue websites."  Metalitz, who also serves on the Legal Advisory Board of the Copyright Alliance, opined that "existing legal tools to combat rogue sites fall short, especially when dealing with overseas rogue sites.  For instance, the DMCA does not apply to foreign sites.  [Additionally] we need more resources in the game.  These bills address the fact that more private players in the Internet ecosystem need to be part of the solution to piracy.  [Finally,] we need more incentives for voluntary cooperation to combat piracy."

 

Core copyright industries employed nearly 4% of the U.S. workforce and generated 6.4% of the U.S. economy, according to a just-released report commissioned by the International Intellectual Property Alliance.  Metalitz, who is counsel to the IIPA, noted the importance of copyright and creativity as an engine for growth, and emphasized the need for "strong legal protection for U.S. creativity, innovation and ingenuity, both here and in the markets of our trading partners, in both the physical and online world."