Statement from Senator Coons on Protecting Intellectual Property, Internet Freedom

Statement

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement today after the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the PROTECT IP Act was delayed.

"Protecting American innovation is an economic imperative, and whether that innovation comes in the form of an idea, a design, or a product, it is Congress' responsibility to fight for every job that comes with it. Piracy affects tens of thousands of local jobs in Delaware, where leaders of businesses large and small have made it clear to me that foreign criminals pirating their products, designs and ideas are a serious threat to their ability to grow and create jobs. That pirated goods are being sold or distributed online instead of from the back of a van doesn't make the theft any less costly or any less deserving of the law's attention.

"I have heard from a significant number of Delawareans on the issue this week through both digital and traditional channels and I deeply appreciate their engagement. I passionately share their concern for protecting Internet freedom and will bear it in mind as we move forward on this and future legislation.

"The House bill, SOPA, overreached and would have had unintended consequences for Internet freedom. PROTECT IP, however, is a different bill and deserves to be considered accordingly. I am a cosponsor the PROTECT IP Act because I believe that protecting American innovation is an essential responsibility for legislators in the 21st century economy. We worked hard and collaboratively with many stakeholders on both sides of the issue to produce a sober, responsible bill. Neither side came away with their "ideal' legislation. I worked with my friend, Chairman Leahy, last year to strengthen the bill by narrowing its focus to the "worst of the worst' offenders -- foreign-hosted websites dedicated primarily to serving pirated content -- and I will continue to support his efforts to address some of the concerns raised this month.

"We cannot pretend that online piracy isn't an issue, nor can we pretend that the Internet can be a lawless domain. Tech companies cannot blindly profit from the theft of American intellectual property, just as content providers cannot pretend that their products exist in a vacuum. They must learn to cohabitate the Internet space, and to work constructively with Congress on a fair legal infrastructure for policing that space. Congress will not turn away from its role in crafting a responsible balance that accommodates both property and freedom. It is my hope that those who refused to participate in the process of crafting these bills finally come to the table to be part of the solution instead of marshaling anger at those trying in good faith to do important work."

Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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