Thank you for contacting me to express your views on S. 968, the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act. Your opinion is very important to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this important issue.
The PROTECT IP Act will prohibit foreign websites, formerly operating outside the realm of U.S. law, from exploiting U.S. Internet service providers, payment processors, search engines, and ad placement services.
From enrolling in classes to communicating with our loved ones, the Internet can be a critical medium in the daily lives of Americans. The Internet was created to be a venue for sharing information, and we must continue to make certain that consumers can access that content without discrimination.
However, the expansion of the Internet has also created more opportunities for copyright infringement. Illegal downloads have been cited as one of the main causes for the decline in the music industry. As new mediums of communication develop, it is imperative to discuss how to best protect privacy rights and intellectual property. Rest assured that I will work with my colleagues in the Senate to best address this explosion of Internet content and issues that come with it, and ensure that intellectual property rights are protected while being mindful of those who access that content.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I encourage you to contact me if I can be of further assistance on this or any other concern. I also invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate.
Robert Mendez
US Senate
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