Why the US Should Block Piracy
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) advocates for the U.S. to adopt the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act (FADPA), enabling courts to block access to foreign piracy websites. These sites, often operated by criminal organizations, distribute stolen American content, causing an estimated $29 billion annual loss to the U.S. economy and threatening jobs in creative industries. FADPA would allow copyright holders to obtain court orders requiring U.S. internet service providers to restrict access to such sites, aligning the U.S. with over 40 countries that have implemented similar measures. Critics argue that this approach could lead to censorship; however, ITIF contends that the bill targets only sites primarily designed for copyright infringement and includes judicial oversight, distinguishing it from broader content restrictions. The goal is to disrupt the operations of piracy sites, making it harder and less profitable for them to function, thereby protecting intellectual property rights and supporting the U.S. creative economy.
