RIAA: PROTECT IP has more bi-partisan support than most bills

Recording Industry Association of America researchers said on Monday that the stalled PROTECT IP proposal enjoyed more bi-partisan support than the vast majority of bills introduced during the latest Congressional session.

According to an analysis funded by the trade organization, members submitted nearly 1,900 bills for consideration since Congress convened on January 3. Of that number, PROTECT IP ranked in the smallest percentile of those backed by nearly three dozen representatives.

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No mean feat, said RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman.

"This analysis demonstrates just how rare it is for legislation in the Senate to have extensive and bipartisan support," said Sherman.

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RIAA researchers found that PROTECT IP was only one of 32 bills introduced this year that garnered a minimum of 35 co-sponsors. Just 19 of those, including the PROTECT IP bill, earned "substantial bi-partisan support." The group was unclear what number qualified "substantial."

Sherman applauded the support, claiming it reflected the "common-sense nature" of the bill.

"The PROTECT IP Act is about protecting American jobs and creativity, plain and simple, and keeping Americans safe," he said. "We are grateful to the large number of co-sponsors who share these sensible goals, and we look forward to working with House and Senate leaders as they develop the best approach to preventing rogue sites from stealing American creativity and innovation."

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With PROTECT IP in legislative limbo, Rep. Lamar Smith's Stop Online Piracy Act has taken up the anti-copyright infringement mantle. The new bill has elicited similar praise and scorn.

SOPA critics have stated it would do more harm than good and could potentially lead to web censorship. Addressing the House Judiciary Committee last week, MPAA Senior Executive Vice President Michael O'Leary called the bill (.pdf) a "smart, reasonable approach to combat the threat of rogue sites."

Google, AOL, Twitter and Mozilla were among several big-name SOPA opponents to sign a statement addressed to Congress voicing their concerns. Video game publishing powerhouses Nintendo, Sony and EA came out in support of the bill last week. (via RIAA)

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