Thank you for your message regarding S. 978, a bill to amend the criminal penalty provision for criminal infringement of a copyright, and for other purposes. I appreciate hearing from you.
S. 978 would upgrade the penalty for illegally streaming movies, television, music, and other copyrighted content for commercial advantage or private financial gain, from a misdemeanor to a felony. This bill would update criminal infringement law to include ten or more willful offenses of copyrighted content within a six month period. The measure would apply to content that has a retail or economic value to the infringer or copyright owner of more than $2,500, and content that has a fair market value over $5,000 for licenses of performances of the work. This measure would carry a maximum prison sentence of five years for a felony streaming offense.
Opponents are concerned that people will be penalized for posting a link to a video or singing a copyrighted song in public. It is important to note that only those who profit from streaming copyrighted content would be targeted, and not those who simply share or view that content. To be clear, under S. 978, viewing a video on YouTube would not be criminalized.
This bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member. S. 978 was approved by a voice vote and has been placed on the Senate Calendar. I will keep your thoughts in mind if this bill considered further.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
.
Comments+