Election year is almost here, so it comes as no surprise to see that leaders of the IP subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a new copyright bill supported by major rightsholder groups like the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The new Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO IP) Act calls for tougher civil and criminal copyright and trademark infringement penalties, and has already stirred criticism among the content user community.

Among other things, the bill would allow the Justice Department to seize computers or other property used or intended to be used to violate copyright law, and would increase potential fines and prison sentences for infringers. If passed, the PRO IP Act would also establish a new federal position, an IP czar, to be appointed by the President.

Given its controversial nature, it is hard to imagine that this bill will go anywhere in Congress. More likely, it is the latest in a series of copyright bills over the years designed primarily to generate rightsholder support for political candidates on the eve of another election year.

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