House to combat Internet piracy

The House of Representatives has approved a bill that provides funding to combat Internet piracy under the No Electronic Theft Act, according to Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. The funding will be used to increase staff, including appointing 18 attorneys, for the investigation and prosecution of intellectual property crimes, such as software counterfeiting. The act, which was enacted by Congress four years ago and authored by Goodlatte, was established to strengthen copyright laws and increase the penalties for digital piracy.

Goodlatte sits as chairman of the House Republican High Technology Working Group as well as co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Internet Caucus. He also serves on the House Republican Cyber-Security Team.