House Passes Bill Aimed at Piracy in Theaters

Videotaping films in theaters would be a federal crime punishable by up to six years in prison under a bill passed Tuesday by the House.

The Piracy Deterrence and Education Act also would make it easier for the Justice Department to prosecute Internet users who illegally distribute large amounts of music and other copyrighted works.

It encourages the FBI to use Internet providers to forward warning letters to subscribers whose accounts are being used for illegally downloading music and movies. That provision is aimed largely at parents who may be unaware of their children’s activities.

“There seems to be a belief among America’s youth ... that copyright piracy is either an acceptable activity or one that carries a low risk of penalties,” said Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The Motion Picture Assn. of America applauded the bill’s passage, while consumer groups, conservative groups and libraries said it would radically broaden copyright law and drag the government into a battle that should be handled by the entertainment industry.

Movie studios and recording companies have pressed Congress to help them in their fight against piracy.

Supporters of the House legislation expected the Senate to consider the proposal as early as next week.

Legal experts say about 10 states already prohibit people from recording movies inside theaters. The House bill would make it a felony, which would permit local and state police to make arrests even when officers don’t personally witness the illicit recording. Moviegoers caught would face up to three years in prison for a first offense, and up to six years for later arrests.

The bill includes language by Rep. Lamar S. Smith (R-Texas) offering immunity from Hollywood copyright suits to makers of DVD players and other devices featuring technology that parents can use to filter objectionable movie scenes.