Obama administration cracking down on Internet piracy

Curbing Internet piracy is a big priority for the administration, U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel said on Tuesday.

The administration does not have an official position on the Combating Online Privacy Infringement and Counterfeits Act, a measure recently introduced by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., but looks forward to working with Congress on finding an appropriate legislative solution, Espinel noted.

Espinel's remarks came at the Future of Music Coalition policy summit where she spoke about the work her office is conducting and fielded questions from the audience.

"My job is to protect the creativity of U.S. citizens," she said. To that end, her office is working to carry out a strategic plan the White House released in June.

Espinel highlighted a few initiatives of the plan: A call to the private sector--rights holders, Internet service providers, search engines--to reduce the flow illegal content online and a review of domestic IP laws aiming to ensure they are keeping pace with technology.

"IP enforcement should stop the work of those that steal from others, but not stop those who are building on the work of others," Espinel said, noting the importance of the fair use doctrine. To balance copyright laws, the fair use doctrine allows an individual to reproduce a particular work for certain purposes including reporting and teaching.

When asked by a reporter what the administration's position is on net neutrality, Espinel deferred to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski (who was not present) saying the topic is under his bailiwick. The administration, however, sent a statement to Tech Daily Dose about the matter citing a House effort to advance a net neutrality bill as a positive indication of possible compromise on the issue.