Commerce seeks input on preventing online piracy

Preventing the piracy of movies, music and software online has become an increasing priority for the White House, resulting in a higher profile for White House intellectual property enforcement coordinator Victoria Espinel in recent months. The White House is expected to release updated policy to address the issue early next year.

In addition, Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced a bill last month that would ramp up the federal government's enforcement efforts and give the Justice Department new authority to shut down websites that traffic in pirated goods. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates online piracy costs the U.S. economy a total of $58 billion in output every year.