'Rogue websites' bill returns to US Senate

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US senators re-introduced a bill on Thursday that would give the US authorities more tools to crack down on websites selling pirated movies, television shows and music and counterfeit goods.

"This legislation will protect the investment American companies make in developing brands and creating content and will protect the jobs associated with those investments," said Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont.

"The Protect IP Act targets the most egregious actors, and is an important first step to putting a stop to online piracy and sale of counterfeit goods," Leahy said in a statement.

A similar bill, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 19-0 vote in November but never made it to the Senate floor.

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