US senators re-introduced a bill that aims to give more power to authorities to clamp down on websites selling pirated movies, television shows, music and other fake products.
In November, a similar bill, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, was approved by the Senate, but it could not make it the Senate floor.
The new version of the bill has been renamed the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act, or Protect IP Act.
It was introduced by senator Patrick Leahy and Republicans Orrin Hatch of Utah and Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
Leahy said, "This legislation will protect the investment American companies make in developing brands and creating content and will protect the jobs associated with those investments."
"The Protect IP Act targets the most egregious actors, and is an important first step to putting a stop to online piracy and sale of counterfeit goods," Leahy said.
"We are sending a strong message to those selling or distributing counterfeit goods online that the United States will strongly protect its intellectual property rights," Hatch said.
"Fake pharmaceuticals threaten people’s lives. Stolen movies, music, and other products put many out of work."
