Washington – The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed legislation that includes key provisions authored by Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) to protect American innovation and address intellectual property rights enforcement. The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act was approved by the Committee in a 14-4 vote.

The legislation was introduced in July by Bayh, Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-PA). The bill’s cosponsors have introduced a number of intellectual property enforcement proposals in the 110th Congress, and the bill reported Thursday reflects a measured compromise.

The legislation would authorize the Attorney General to enforce civil copyright laws and would enhance civil and criminal intellectual property laws. It would also provide increased resources for Department of Justice programs to combat intellectual property theft, and provide coordination and strategic planning of federal efforts against counterfeiting and piracy.

Bill sponsors will seek a vote on final passage later this month.

“Until we take more aggressive action to curtail intellectual property theft, we will continue to be robbed of profits, jobs, and legal protection of our best ideas,” Bayh said. “America will not be able to lead the global economy if we buy from our trading partners when they have a comparative advantage, and they steal from us when we have a comparative advantage. Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee took a huge step forward in preventing the United States from forfeiting its most valuable asset in the global marketplace: American ingenuity.”

“In the fierce competition of the 21st-century global marketplace, intellectual property is one of the few areas where America has a clear advantage over foreign competitors. It is vital that we protect that advantage, level the playing field and ensure continued economic growth for Americans,” Voinovich said. “This vital legislative is a critical step toward safeguarding the economic health of our country by improving the management, coordination and effectiveness of our nation’s intellectual property enforcement efforts.”

Leahy said, “We all know that intellectual property makes up some of the most valuable, and most vulnerable, property we have. We need to do more to protect it from theft and abuse if we hope to continue being a world leader in innovation. I am pleased the Committee has reported this legislation, which will provide the tools, resources, and structure needed for law enforcement at all levels to protect our intellectual property and to prosecute those who steal it.”

“With intellectual property contributing so heavily to our national economy, it has become one of our most valuable assets,” Specter said. “This bill gives our government the additional tools it needs to protect American innovation by enhancing the civil and criminal penalties for intellectual property violations and discouraging criminal organizations from entering the counterfeiting and piracy market. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this legislation to the President’s desk."

The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act has the support of several organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Property Rights Alliance, and the International Trademark Association.

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