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CBO scores PROTECT IP Act
According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate released this week, the PROTECT IP Act would cost the federal government $47 million through 2016.
The Justice Department told the CBO it would hire 22 special agents and 26 support staff to enforce the measure, which would expand the agency's authority to go after online copyright violators and shut down infringing websites.
The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) told The Hill Thursday that he plans to introduce a House version in September.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has placed a hold on the PROTECT IP Act because he says it overreaches and threatens free speech.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a statement Thursday saying the measure would be worth its cost.
"Given that America’s IP-intensive industries employ more than 19 million Americans and generate nearly $7.7 trillion in gross output, should Congress decide to provide more resources to the Justice Department, it will be a small price to pay to save American jobs and protect American consumers,” said Steve Tepp, the Chamber's senior director for intellectual property enforcement.
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