October 8, 2004

House Votes to Increase Penalties on People Who Share Computer Files Illegally

By ANDREA L. FOSTER

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation last week that would lower the bar for prosecuting people suspected of illegal file sharing as criminals. The bill would also impose criminal fines on those who try to copy movies illegally in theaters.

The bill -- the Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2004, HR 4077 -- was approved on a voice vote.

The legislation's most severe provision would allow jail sentences of up to three years and fines of as much as

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