House OKs Bill on Bootlegger Penalties
The House of Representatives approved legislation to impose criminal penalties on bootleggers who use company “authentication devices” to dupe consumers into buying counterfeit software, movies and other products.
The bill, passed by voice vote, is supported by Microsoft Corp., Walt Disney Co. and other companies that want law enforcers to have the ability to fight the growing theft of their holograms, special inks and other authentication devices that are then attached to counterfeit goods. The bill makes it a crime to distribute those devices without the company’s authorization.
* Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill sponsored by state Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City) that would require those who disseminate music and films over the Internet to disclose their e-mail addresses, a move intended to discourage online piracy.
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