H.R. 4279 — 110th Congress

Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008

Originated in the House · Introduced Dec 5, 2007 · Commerce

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Latest action

May 12, 2008

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

CRS summary

As of May 8, 2008

Passed House amended

Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 - Title I: Enhancements to Civil Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 101) Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information, unless there was knowledge of the inaccurate information and the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; and (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement.

(Sec. 104) Broadens the trademark infringement situations in which treble damages are allowed to include: (1) intentionally inducing another to violate a trademark; and (2) providing goods and services necessary to the commission of a violation with the intent that they be used in the violation. Doubles the minimum and maximum statutory damage limits for trademark infringement.

(Sec. 106) Prohibits the importing (current law), as well as the exporting, of infringing copies of copyrighted works.

Title II: Enhancements to Criminal Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 201) Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) revise criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright by permitting repeat felony violations to be interchangeable, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) revise current civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement, as well as add new restitution and forfeiture provisions.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the United States Sentencing Commission to amend certain federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements regarding whether a defendant should receive an upward adjustment in the offense level on the grounds that exportation introduces infringing items into the stream of foreign commerce in a manner analogous to the manner in which manufacturing, importing, and uploading such items introduces them into the stream of commerce.

Title III: Coordination and Strategic Planning of Federal Effort Against Counterfeiting and Piracy - Subtitle A: Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative - (Sec. 301) Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative (IP Enforcement Representative) to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights. Prohibits the IP Enforcement Representative from controlling or directing any law enforcement agency in the exercise of its investigative or prosecutorial authority in particular cases. Establishes an interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee to develop the Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy under subtitle B of this title.

Subtitle B: Joint Strategic Plan - (Sec. 321) Requires the IP Enforcement Representative to submit a Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy to the President and specified congressional committees every three years. Requires that the plan include programs to provide training and technical assistance to foreign governments to enhance those governments' efforts to enforce counterfeiting and piracy laws.

(Sec. 322) Requires an annual report on the Office's activities to the President, Congress, and the people of the United States.

(Sec. 323) Repeals provisions establishing the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council.

(Sec. 324) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title.

Title IV: International Enforcement and Coordination - (Sec. 401) Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint at least 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property. Sets forth provisions providing for the duties, assignment, and training of such attaches.

(Sec. 404) Requires the Department of Commerce's Inspector General to perform yearly audits of the intellectual property attaches and report to the House and Senate judiciary committees on the audit results, including regarding activities and effectiveness.

(Sec. 405) Authorizes appropriations for the training and support of the intellectual property attaches appointed under this title and of other Department of Commerce intellectual property attaches.

Title V: Department of Justice Programs - Subtitle A: Coordination - (Sec. 501) Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer).

Transfers to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division the functions of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice that relate to the enforcement of criminal laws regarding intellectual property rights and trade secrets. Requires that the Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators of the Department of Justice to whom this title applies also be in the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division.

Subtitle B: Law Enforcement Resources - (Sec. 511) Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to: (1) modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet; and (2) authorize appropriations for the grants.

Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 512) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units, provide such units with additional support and resources, and coordinate unit activities with corresponding state and local activities; and (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property law violation.

(Sec. 514) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle.

Subtitle C: International Activities - (Sec. 521) Directs the Attorney General to deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 522) Directs the Attorney General to increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property. Authorizes appropriations.

Subtitle D: Coordination, Implementation, and Reporting - (Sec. 531) Requires the IP Officer to ensure that activities undertaken under this title are carried out in a way consistent with the Joint Strategic Plan.

(Sec. 532) Directs the Attorney General to report to the House and Senate judiciary committees on actions taken to carry out this title, including regarding the IP Officer's activities.

Congressional Research Service, via api.congress.gov (public domain)

Roll-call votes

1 on record

May 8, 2008 · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Full roll call

Passed (410–11)

192 of 433 recorded votes are not yet matched to a member profile.

Yea410: 124 D · 101 R

MemberPartyState
PORTER, Jon C.NV
RAMSTAD, JamesMN
DAVIS, DavidTN
DICKS, Norman DeValoisWA
CASTLE, Michael NewboldDE
WELLER, Gerald C.IL
SHADEGG, John B.AZ
BARTLETT, Roscoe GardnerMD
BOREN, Daniel DavidOK
CHANDLER, A. B.KY
CARDOZA, Dennis A.CA
MOLLOHAN, Alan BowlbyWV
ALLEN, Thomas H.ME
PETERSON, JohnPA
WATT, Melvin L.NC
LEWIS, Charles JeremyCA
DRAKE, Thelma D.VA
PUTNAM, AdamFL
FOSSELLA, Vito JohnNY
MCCRERY, James O., IIILA
LAHOOD, Ray H.IL
LaTOURETTE, Steven C.OH
SESTAK, JoePA
FALLIN, MaryOK
ALEXANDER, RodneyLA
BERMAN, Howard LawrenceCA
EHLERS, Vernon JamesMI
STARK, Fortney Hillman (Pete), Jr.CA
AKIN, W. ToddMO
GORDON, Barton JenningsTN
LINDER, John ElmerGA
RENZI, RickAZ
KLEIN, RonFL
JACKSON, Jesse L., Jr.IL
MOORE, DennisKS
ROTHMAN, StevenNJ
BUYER, Stephen EarleIN
KILPATRICK, Carolyn CheeksMI
SHULER, HeathNC
HARE, PhilIL
WEXLER, RobertFL
REYES, SilvestreTX
BILBRAY, Brian P.CA
JOHNSON, Timothy V.IL
FRANK, BarneyMA
BROWN-WAITE, VirginiaFL
HOBSON, David LeeOH
MAHONEY, TimFL
OBEY, David RossWI
HALL, JohnNY
WATSON, Diane EdithCA
WILSON, CharlieOH
LAMPSON, Nicholas V.TX
KUHL, John R. (Randy), Jr.NY
KAGEN, StevenWI
TAUSCHER, Ellen O'KaneCA
ELLSWORTH, BradIN
SALI, WilliamID
TANCREDO, Thomas G.CO
SOUDER, Mark EdwardIN
TANNER, John S.TN
SHAYS, Christopher H.CT
DAVIS, Thomas M., IIIVA
KELLER, RichardFL
MANZULLO, Donald A.IL
REYNOLDS, Thomas M.NY
BROWN, Henry Edward, Jr.SC
INGLIS, Robert DurdenSC
BIGGERT, Judy BorgIL
HOOLEY, DarleneOR
RADANOVICH, George P.CA
McCOTTER, Thaddeus GeorgeMI
MUSGRAVE, Marilyn NCO
MILLER, BradNC
FERGUSON, MichaelNJ
TAYLOR, Gary EugeneMS
SULLIVAN, JohnOK
ORTIZ, Solomon P.TX
WILSON, HeatherNM
SOLIS, Hilda L.CA
KNOLLENBERG, JosephMI
RODRIGUEZ, Ciro D.TX
OBERSTAR, James LouisMN
BEAN, Melissa L.IL
BOYD, F. Allen, Jr.FL
TOWNS, EdolphusNY
SALAZAR, JohnCO
MURTHA, John Patrick, Jr.PA
SCHMIDT, JeanOH
DELAHUNT, BillMA
McHUGH, John MichaelNY
DREIER, David TimothyCA
HINCHEY, Maurice DunleaNY
BERKLEY, ShelleyNV
HARMAN, Jane L.CA
WOOLSEY, Lynn C.CA
HERSETH SANDLIN, StephanieSD
MARSHALL, JimGA
YOUNG, Charles WilliamFL
DAVIS, ArturAL
CANTOR, EricVA
REHBERG, DennyMT
BARRETT, James GreshamSC
SPACE, ZackOH
BACA, JoeCA
MURPHY, PatrickPA
BOSWELL, Leonard L.IA
INSLEE, Jay RobertWA
PLATTS, ToddPA
STEARNS, Clifford BundyFL
SKELTON, Isaac Newton, IVMO
WU, DavidOR
CANNON, Christopher B.UT
ABERCROMBIE, NeilHI
BOYDA, NancyKS
CUBIN, Barbara L.WY
MACK, Connie, IVFL
HULSHOF, KennyMO
REGULA, Ralph StrausOH
PICKERING, Charles W. (Chip), Jr.MS
DAVIS, LincolnTN
GOODE, Virgil H., Jr.VA
KILDEE, Dale EdwardMI
COSTELLO, Jerry FrancisIL
ACKERMAN, Gary LeonardNY
SPRATT, John McKee, Jr.SC
SUTTON, BettyOH
EVERETT, Robert TerryAL
LEWIS, RonKY
CRAMER, Robert E. (Bud), Jr.AL
HOLDEN, Thomas TimothyPA
ROSS, Michael AveryAR
WAMP, Zachary PaulTN
CARNAHAN, RussMO
MEEK, Kendrick B.FL
POMEROY, Earl Ralph, IIIND
ALTMIRE, JasonPA
HOEKSTRA, PeterMI
ETHERIDGE, Bobby R.NC
STUPAK, Bart T.MI
FEENEY, TomFL
KENNEDY, Patrick JosephRI
EMERSON, Jo AnnMO
KANJORSKI, Paul E.PA
SNYDER, Victor F.AR
MYRICK, SueNC
JEFFERSON, William JenningsLA
LUNGREN, Daniel EdwardCA
DEAL, John NathanGA
MITCHELL, Harry E.AZ
BURTON, Danny LeeIN
ARCURI, MichaelNY
WEINER, Anthony D.NY
HODES, PaulNH
ENGLISH, Philip SheridanPA
JONES, Stephanie TubbsOH
FILNER, BobCA
EDWARDS, Thomas ChesterTX
CAZAYOUX, Donald J., Jr.LA
BERRY, Robert MarionAR
ANDREWS, Robert ErnestNJ
DIAZ-BALART, LincolnFL
WALSH, James T.NY
GIFFORDS, GabrielleAZ
EMANUEL, RahmIL
BONO, MaryCA
WELDON, David JosephFL
DAVIS, Geoffrey C.KY
McNULTY, Michael RobertNY
GALLEGLY, Elton W.CA
MELANCON, Charles J.LA
HILL, Baron P.IN
PAYNE, Donald MilfordNJ
WYNN, Albert RussellMD
HUNTER, Duncan LeeCA
PENCE, MikeIN
OLVER, John WalterMA
GONZALEZ, Charles A.TX
PRYCE, Deborah D.OH
BONNER, Jr., Josiah RobinsAL
HAYES, Robert CannonNC
SAXTON, Hugh JamesNJ
BAIRD, BrianWA
TIAHRT, ToddKS
CARNEY, ChrisPA
Ed PastorDemocratAZ
Raúl M. GrijalvaDemocratAZ
Adam B. SchiffDemocratCA
Anna G. EshooDemocratCA
Barbara LeeDemocratCA
Brad ShermanDemocratCA
Doris O. MatsuiDemocratCA
George MillerDemocratCA
Grace F. NapolitanoDemocratCA
Henry A. WaxmanDemocratCA
Jackie SpeierDemocratCA
Jerry McNerneyDemocratCA
Jim CostaDemocratCA
Linda T. SánchezDemocratCA
Lois CappsDemocratCA
Loretta SanchezDemocratCA
Lucille Roybal-AllardDemocratCA
Maxine WatersDemocratCA
Michael M. HondaDemocratCA
Mike ThompsonDemocratCA
Sam FarrDemocratCA
Susan A. DavisDemocratCA
Xavier BecerraDemocratCA
Diana DeGetteDemocratCO
Ed PerlmutterDemocratCO
Mark UdallDemocratCO
Christopher MurphyDemocratCT
Joe CourtneyDemocratCT
John B. LarsonDemocratCT
Rosa L. DeLauroDemocratCT
Alcee L. HastingsDemocratFL
Corrine BrownDemocratFL
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocratFL
Kathy CastorDemocratFL
David ScottDemocratGA
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.DemocratGA
John BarrowDemocratGA
John LewisDemocratGA
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.DemocratGA
Mazie K. HironoDemocratHI
Bruce L. BraleyDemocratIA
Bill FosterDemocratIL
Daniel LipinskiDemocratIL
Danny K. DavisDemocratIL
Janice D. SchakowskyDemocratIL
André CarsonDemocratIN
Joe DonnellyDemocratIN
Peter J. ViscloskyDemocratIN
John A. YarmuthDemocratKY
Edward J. MarkeyDemocratMA
James P. McGovernDemocratMA
John F. TierneyDemocratMA
Michael E. CapuanoDemocratMA
Niki TsongasDemocratMA
Richard E. NealDemocratMA
C. A. Dutch RuppersbergerDemocratMD
Chris Van HollenDemocratMD
Elijah E. CummingsDemocratMD
John P. SarbanesDemocratMD
Steny H. HoyerDemocratMD
Michael H. MichaudDemocratME
John Conyers, Jr.DemocratMI
John D. DingellDemocratMI
Sander M. LevinDemocratMI
Betty McCollumDemocratMN
Collin C. PetersonDemocratMN
Keith EllisonDemocratMN
Timothy J. WalzDemocratMN
Emanuel CleaverDemocratMO
Wm. Lacy ClayDemocratMO
Bennie G. ThompsonDemocratMS
David E. PriceDemocratNC
G. K. ButterfieldDemocratNC
Mike McIntyreDemocratNC
Carol Shea-PorterDemocratNH
Albio SiresDemocratNJ
Bill Pascrell, Jr.DemocratNJ
Frank Pallone, Jr.DemocratNJ
Rush HoltDemocratNJ
Tom UdallDemocratNM
Brian HigginsDemocratNY
Carolyn B. MaloneyDemocratNY
Carolyn McCarthyDemocratNY
Charles B. RangelDemocratNY
Eliot L. EngelDemocratNY
Gregory W. MeeksDemocratNY
Jerrold NadlerDemocratNY
José E. SerranoDemocratNY
Joseph CrowleyDemocratNY
Kirsten E. GillibrandDemocratNY
Louise McIntosh SlaughterDemocratNY
Nita M. LoweyDemocratNY
Nydia M. VelázquezDemocratNY
Steve IsraelDemocratNY
Timothy H. BishopDemocratNY
Yvette D. ClarkeDemocratNY
Marcy KapturDemocratOH
Tim RyanDemocratOH
Earl BlumenauerDemocratOR
Peter A. DeFazioDemocratOR
Allyson Y. SchwartzDemocratPA
Chaka FattahDemocratPA
Michael F. DoyleDemocratPA
Robert A. BradyDemocratPA
James R. LangevinDemocratRI
James E. ClyburnDemocratSC
Jim CooperDemocratTN
Al GreenDemocratTX
Eddie Bernice JohnsonDemocratTX
Gene GreenDemocratTX
Henry CuellarDemocratTX
Lloyd DoggettDemocratTX
Rubén HinojosaDemocratTX
Sheila Jackson LeeDemocratTX
Jim MathesonDemocratUT
James P. MoranDemocratVA
Robert C. "Bobby" ScottDemocratVA
Peter WelchDemocratVT
Adam SmithDemocratWA
Jim McDermottDemocratWA
Rick LarsenDemocratWA
Ron KindDemocratWI
Tammy BaldwinDemocratWI
Nick J. Rahall IIDemocratWV
Mike RogersRepublicanAL
Robert B. AderholtRepublicanAL
John BoozmanRepublicanAR
Trent FranksRepublicanAZ
Dana RohrabacherRepublicanCA
Darrell IssaRepublicanCA
Devin NunesRepublicanCA
Edward R. RoyceRepublicanCA
Gary G. MillerRepublicanCA
Howard P. "Buck" McKeonRepublicanCA
Ken CalvertRepublicanCA
Kevin McCarthyRepublicanCA
Doug LambornRepublicanCO
Ander CrenshawRepublicanFL
Gus M. BilirakisRepublicanFL
Ileana Ros-LehtinenRepublicanFL
Jeff MillerRepublicanFL
John L. MicaRepublicanFL
Mario Diaz-BalartRepublicanFL
Vern BuchananRepublicanFL
Jack KingstonRepublicanGA
Paul C. BrounRepublicanGA
Phil GingreyRepublicanGA
Tom PriceRepublicanGA
Steve KingRepublicanIA
Tom LathamRepublicanIA
Michael K. SimpsonRepublicanID
John ShimkusRepublicanIL
Mark KirkRepublicanIL
Peter J. RoskamRepublicanIL
Jerry MoranRepublicanKS
Ed WhitfieldRepublicanKY
Harold RogersRepublicanKY
Charles W. Boustany Jr.RepublicanLA
Steve ScaliseRepublicanLA
Candice S. MillerRepublicanMI
Dave CampRepublicanMI
Fred UptonRepublicanMI
Mike RogersRepublicanMI
Tim WalbergRepublicanMI
John KlineRepublicanMN
Michele BachmannRepublicanMN
Roy BluntRepublicanMO
Sam GravesRepublicanMO
Howard CobleRepublicanNC
Patrick T. McHenryRepublicanNC
Virginia FoxxRepublicanNC
Walter B. JonesRepublicanNC
Adrian SmithRepublicanNE
Jeff FortenberryRepublicanNE
Lee TerryRepublicanNE
Christopher H. SmithRepublicanNJ
Frank A. LoBiondoRepublicanNJ
Rodney P. FrelinghuysenRepublicanNJ
Scott GarrettRepublicanNJ
Stevan PearceRepublicanNM
Dean HellerRepublicanNV
Peter T. KingRepublicanNY
Jim JordanRepublicanOH
John A. BoehnerRepublicanOH
Michael R. TurnerRepublicanOH
Patrick J. TiberiRepublicanOH
Robert E. LattaRepublicanOH
Steve ChabotRepublicanOH
Frank D. LucasRepublicanOK
Tom ColeRepublicanOK
Greg WaldenRepublicanOR
Bill ShusterRepublicanPA
Charles W. DentRepublicanPA
Jim GerlachRepublicanPA
Joseph R. PittsRepublicanPA
Tim MurphyRepublicanPA
Joe WilsonRepublicanSC
Marsha BlackburnRepublicanTN
Jeb HensarlingRepublicanTX
Joe BartonRepublicanTX
John Abney CulbersonRepublicanTX
John R. CarterRepublicanTX
K. Michael ConawayRepublicanTX
Kay GrangerRepublicanTX
Kenny MarchantRepublicanTX
Kevin BradyRepublicanTX
Lamar SmithRepublicanTX
Louie GohmertRepublicanTX
Mac ThornberryRepublicanTX
Michael C. BurgessRepublicanTX
Michael T. McCaulRepublicanTX
Pete SessionsRepublicanTX
Ralph M. HallRepublicanTX
Randy NeugebauerRepublicanTX
Sam JohnsonRepublicanTX
Rob BishopRepublicanUT
Bob GoodlatteRepublicanVA
Frank R. WolfRepublicanVA
J. Randy ForbesRepublicanVA
Robert J. WittmanRepublicanVA
Cathy McMorris RodgersRepublicanWA
David G. ReichertRepublicanWA
F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.RepublicanWI
Paul D. RyanRepublicanWI
Thomas E. PetriRepublicanWI

Nay11: 5 R · 2 D

MemberPartyState
DOOLITTLE, John TaylorCA
KUCINICH, DennisOH
BOUCHER, Frederick C.VA
PAUL, Ronald ErnestTX
Zoe LofgrenDemocratCA
Gwen MooreDemocratWI
Don YoungRepublicanAK
Jeff FlakeRepublicanAZ
Lynn A. WestmorelandRepublicanGA
John J. Duncan, Jr.RepublicanTN
Ted PoeRepublicanTX

Not Voting12: 5 D · 4 R

MemberPartyState
RICHARDSON, LauraCA
GILCHREST, Wayne ThomasMD
HERGER, Walter WilliamCA
David LoebsackDemocratIA
Bobby L. RushDemocratIL
Luis V. GutiérrezDemocratIL
Stephen F. LynchDemocratMA
Steve CohenDemocratTN
Spencer BachusRepublicanAL
John CampbellRepublicanCA
Doc HastingsRepublicanWA
Shelley Moore CapitoRepublicanWV

Member pages currently show roll-call votes from the 119th Congress only. The “Member pages” column marks votes from that congress.