Senator Amy Klobuchar and two cosponsors have introduced S.978, which would make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted works a felony.
Here's an excerpt:
‘(2) shall be imprisoned not more than 5 years, fined in the amount set forth in this title, or both, if–
‘(A) the offense consists of 10 or more public performances by electronic means, during any 180-day period, of 1 or more copyrighted works; and
‘(B)(i) the total retail value of the performances, or the total economic value of such public performances to the infringer or to the copyright owner, would exceed $2,500; or
‘(ii) the total fair market value of licenses to offer performances of those works would exceed $5,000;’
Read more about it at "New Bill Upgrades Unauthorized Internet Streaming to a Felony" and “U.S. Bill To Criminalize Illicit Movie/Music Streaming.”
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