Rogue Sites
Copyright Piracy: We All Lose
Mar 19, 2012By Steve Tepp
I think it’s safe to assume that most of us aren’t particularly fond of paying taxes, a thought that hits home this time of year. In a study released today, the Phoenix Center found that the effect of digital theft of intellectual property (IP) is similar to that of a “distortionary tax” on innovation.
The study, “Social Well-Being and IP Theft: A Dynamic Economic Analysis,” provides a detailed analysis which takes direct aim at debunking the misnomer that IP theft is costless. In fact, the study finds that digital piracy imposes significant costs, not only to creators, but also to the general social welfare.
It is obvious and universally agreed upon that innovation and creativity provide great benefits to society.
USCC to Congress: Protect Jobs, Protect Consumers, PROTECT IP
Jan 18, 2012By Steve Tepp
Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a reminder to Congress that the world’s largest business organization takes the protection of intellectual property seriously and consequently, will be including next week’s vote on S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act, in its annual How They Voted scorecard.
The letter states “S.968 has been subject to an open and bipartisan Judiciary Committee process, and the Chamber urges the full Senate to fully debate and pass this important measure. Recent announcements by sponsors of the legislation have made clear that important issues of internet operation, security, and freedom will be addressed by a manager’s amendment, which will modify provisions of S. 968 dealing with blocking of rogue sites.
Chamber’s Donohue Outlines Commitment to IP as Pathway to U.S. Innovation
Jan 12, 2012By Mark Elliot
Today, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue delivered his annual State of American Business address, which highlighted the challenges and priorities facing the business community in 2012. In particular, Donohue looked to intellectual property (IP) rights and the pending rogue sites bills as vehicles for maintaining American competitiveness.
“To grow our economy and create jobs, we also need to maintain and advance our leadership as the most innovative economy and people on earth.
Notorious Markets Make USTR's "Naughty" List
Dec 20, 2011By Steve Tepp
Today, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released its Special 301 Out of Cycle Review of Notorious Markets. The Chamber and GIPC commend USTR’s recognition of the pervasive problem of counterfeiting and piracy, especially as it relates to the online market.
USTR opens the report saying that “globally copyright piracy on a commercial scale and trademark counterfeiting continue to thrive, in part because of the presence of marketplaces that deal in goods and services that infringe intellectual property rights (IPR)… The scale and popularity of these markets can cause economic harm to U.S. and other IP right holders.
402 Companies from 50 States Urge Congress to Pass Rogue Sites Legislation
Dec 14, 2011By Mark Elliot
Online counterfeiting and piracy is a serious problem which deserves serious attention. It’s not only caught our attention, or the attention of 43 attorneys general, or the attention of nearly half of the Senate, or the attention dozens of labor organizations, or the attention of consumer advocates, or the attention of constitutional experts, but now has caught the attention of over 400 businesses, organizations, and trade associations.
Today, a letter with, to be exact, 402 signatories representing every state in the union was sent to Capitol Hill, urging Congress to enact rogue sites legislation. Looking at the list, it is clear that IP theft spares no worker or industry. Where else will you find the National Confectioners Association sit next to ESPN, Inc.?
Rogue Site Roulette: A Gamble on Jobs We Just Can’t Take
Dec 14, 2011By Mark Elliot
Yesterday, the FightOnlineTheft coalition, which consists of a variety of voices from both industry and labor, took their show of support for rogue sites legislation directly to the House Judiciary Committee.
In the presence of Chairman Lamar Smith, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Steve Chabot (R-OH), representatives from a huge array of companies and associations one-by-one discussed how rogue sites specifically affect their jobs, businesses, and consumer’s wellbeing and expressed the absolute necessity for enactment of rogue sites legislation, like the PROTECT IP and Stop Online Piracy Act.
This event demonstrated the broad and far-reaching coalition behind PROTECT IP and SOPA.
U.S. Chamber Applauds Manager's Amendment to SOPA
Dec 13, 2011By Steve Tepp
Yesterday, House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith released his Manager's Amendment to the Stop Online Piracy Act. True to his word, it is clear that Chairman Smith has made a genuine and sincere effort to address reasonable concerns while preserving the bill as an effective tool in the struggle against rogue sites. The U.S.
GIPC and CPSC Issue Guidelines for Smart Online Shopping
Dec 12, 2011By Rob Calia
During this holiday season, it’s hard to believe that “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Americans are taking to their mice—computer mice, that is—in record numbers to facilitate their holiday shopping. The Department of Commerce expects a 15.7% jump in online 3Q spending over last year’s $44.7 billion.
While we look to the Internet for blowout deals or totally unique items, online consumers must remain vigilant about who they are purchasing their products from. Unfortunately, the line between legitimate and illicit can get increasingly fuzzy over the anonymity of the Internet, with devious websites selling fake products that could expose consumers to identity theft, malware, or even physical harm.
Today, the U.S.
Survey Says: Rogue Sites Legislation is a Win-Win-Win
Nov 29, 2011By Steve Tepp
Today the American Consumer Institute released a survey focusing on the impact of counterfeiting and piracy to the U.S. economy.
Black Market Monday
Nov 28, 2011By Steve Tepp
As we click our way into the holiday shopping season, it is important to remain vigilant and educated as consumers. Not all websites are trustworthy, and it can be awfully easy to get duped into purchasing products that are not only illegal, but hazardous, too.
You can help protect yourself by being a smart online shopper -- visit trusted sites and make sure that your checkout is secure (look for the "https" in the browser bar). But if you've found what looks like a good deal on a site you're not familiar with, unfortunately there’s no hard and fast rule for online consumers to distinguish a rogue site from a legitimate retailer.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />
Many rogue websites, which provide pirated or counterfeit goods, are incredibly sophisticated and appear legitimate.
