Feds investigate copyright abuse

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- A federal task force has recommended expanded investigative and prosecution powers to combat intellectual property theft ranging from counterfeit drugs to swapping songs over the Internet.

Wiretaps should be allowed to investigate intellectual property theft that threatens health and safety and more investigators should be added in key U.S. cities and in piracy hot spots in Asia and Eastern Europe, the report released Tuesday said.

"With the recommendations put forward by the task force, the department is prepared to build the strongest, most aggressive legal assault against intellectual property crime in our nation's history," U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said.

The report also endorsed the rights of companies to compel Internet service providers to turn over the names of people who have traded songs, movies, software or other copyright-protected items over the Internet.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling in favor of Verizon.

Other similar cases have been or are expected to be brought to the high court.

Ashcroft declined to comment on the Supreme Court's action, saying that his department might have to be involved in future, similar cases. But he defended the task force's recommendations.

While much of the attention has been focused on protecting songs, movies and computer software, the Intellectual Property Task Force report cited counterfeit drugs, baby formula and other items that can cost lives as well as cost their makers millions. Such theft costs American companies $250 billion per year, the report estimated.

Companies that produce films, music, books, software and other copyrighted material employed 4 percent of the nation's work force in 2002, the report said.

The report included a list of recommendations, such as increasing the number of FBI agents assigned to investigate intellectual property theft and fraud.

The report also suggested expanding educational efforts in schools to prevent illegal file sharing.

It also included principles to be adopted when evaluating pending legislation.

One of the principles backs a provision of current copyright law that makes it a crime to circumvent software locks that protect movies on DVD, songs on CDs or other software.