Calif. Senate Greenlights Anti-Piracy Bill

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate unanimously approved a bill this week that could put a damper on businesses and individuals that distribute copyrighted material for profit.

Scribed by Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Culver City, SB1506 would require that file-sharers reveal their email addresses when distributing a commercial film or digital recording over the Internet.

The bill is designed to specifically distinguish between "legitimate" digital works distributed over the Internet and pirated content. It would not apply to users who send a commercial or self-made recording or film to a member of his or her immediate family or household.

According to the terms of the bill, failure to comply with the proposed legislation would be considered a misdemeanor and punishable by up to a year in jail. There could also be a $2,500 fine to the infraction. Juveniles would be fined $250 for first offenses, however that fine would shoot up to $1,000 for three or more times that the juvenile is caught file-sharing copyrighted media content.

The bill is currently on its way for a policy committee review before it hits the Senate floor for another round of votes. If it survives, it will end up in the governor's office for a signature.

According to a spokesperson for Sen. Murray's office, the bill is a state-mandated program that would require funding and enforcement by the state of California.

Through its various incarnations, the bill has been heavily backed by the Motion Picture Association of America and many other members of the film industry.

A spokesperson for Murray's office told XBiz that as one of the bill's main sponsors, the MPAA has been very involved in the process of making the bill.

However, bill has persistently criticized by free speech advocates like the American Civil Liberties Union for its potential to impede constitutional rights.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s new age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

Industry Attorney, Free Speech Champion Clyde DeWitt Passes Away at 75

Noted industry attorney Clyde DeWitt passed away on Friday in Las Vegas at 75, according to friends and colleagues.

Texas AG Ken Paxton Sues Chaturbate, xHamster Over Controversial Age Verification Law

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits on Tuesday against the parent companies of Chaturbate and xHamster, claiming that the sites are not complying with the state’s controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

GirlsDoPorn's Michael Pratt Extradited From Spain, Pleads 'Not Guilty'

Former GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday following his extradition from Spain Monday night, according to a statement released by the Department of Justice.

Missouri Republican Behind FOSTA-SESTA Renews Attack on OnlyFans

Rep. Ann Wagner, the Missouri Republican legislator who was the original architect of FOSTA-SESTA, has renewed her call for federal action against OnlyFans.

Idaho Legislature Passes Republican Age Verification Bill With Full Democratic Support

The Idaho legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Show More