Bills · HR 791
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 791Commerce
Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act
INTRO JAN 28· LAST ACTION JAN 28
READING
18MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it seeks to strengthen intellectual property rights enforcement in the digital age, particularly against foreign-based pirate websites that often operate beyond the reach of traditional U.S. law enforcement. If it becomes law, it could provide content creators with a more effective way to prevent the unauthorized distribution of their works, potentially reducing revenue losses due to piracy and encouraging further investment in creative industries.
However, if it doesn't pass, copyright holders would continue to rely on existing, often less effective, international legal mechanisms or voluntary actions by foreign governments and service providers to combat offshore piracy. The bill also raises significant questions about internet freedom and access, as it would introduce a new power for courts to compel U.S. ISPs to block access to entire websites, which could be seen as a form of censorship or a slippery slope toward broader internet filtering. Voters should care about the balance between protecting creative works and maintaining an open internet, as this bill directly impacts both.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Allows copyright holders to petition a U.S. District Court for a preliminary order against foreign websites primarily dedicated to copyright infringement.
Creates a legal pathway within the U.S. to target foreign pirate sites.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes courts, after a preliminary order, to issue blocking orders requiring U.S. internet service providers to prevent users from accessing identified infringing foreign websites.
Establishes the mechanism for U.S. internet providers to actively block access to specific sites.
PROVISION 03
Requires copyright holders to attempt to notify the foreign website operator and U.S. service providers of the alleged infringement before a preliminary order is issued.
Ensures that due process and notification attempts are made before blocking actions are considered.
PROVISION 04
Allows courts to act on an expedited or even ex parte (without prior notice to the foreign site operator) basis for imminent or ongoing transmissions of live events.
Provides a faster response mechanism for time-sensitive piracy, like live sports broadcasts.
PROVISION 05
Sets criteria for identifying infringing foreign websites, focusing on sites primarily designed for, having no other significant purpose than, or marketed to promote copyright infringement.
Aims to target dedicated pirate sites rather than general-purpose platforms.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
31
BILLS LED
23
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 28
Introduced in House
JAN 28
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 791
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 28, 2025
Last actionJan 28, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2025
House BillHR 791Commerce
Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act
INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 28, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
18 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
