Piracy

A coalition composed of movie and television studios, cable and phone companies and record labels are launching a wide-ranging initiative aimed at cracking down on Internet piracy. The effort brings together Internet service providers — companies that are the gatekeepers to the worldwide Web — and content creators in the fight against the theft of intellectual property. It will be overseen by the newly created Center for Copyright Information, whose backers include the Motion Picture Assn.

The recording industry has a well-earned reputation for a brass-knuckles approach to Internet piracy. But in the run-up to the official release of Lady Gaga's new album, "Born This Way," the security firm hired to thwart would-be music thieves took to Twitter and various online fan forums with a surprisingly gentle plea. "We would kindly ask you not to post pirated copies of 'Born This Way' on your site," wrote the London-based firm called Web Sheriff. "The label, management and artist would greatly appreciate your cooperation....

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday unanimously approved a bill that seeks to rein in foreign websites that traffic in pirated movies and TV shows, a move that drew widespread support from a broad coalition of entertainment industry groups. Called the Protect IP Act, the proposed law is strongly backed by Hollywood's chief lobbying group, the Motion Picture Assn. of America, as well as the Independent Film & Television Alliance, the National Assn. of Theatre Owners and other industry and labor organizations.

Frustrated for years by rampant piracy, the recording industry is pushing California's lawmakers to approve legislation that would allow warrantless searches of companies that press copies of compact discs and DVDs. The Recording Industry Assn. of America, in effect, wants to give law enforcement officials the power to enter manufacturing plants without notice or court orders to check that discs are legitimate and carry legally required identification marks. The proposal by state Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima)

The push to combat websites that sell stolen content has gained renewed bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Democratic and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee leaders Thursday introduced a bill that aims to crack down on rogue websites dedicated to the sale of counterfeit products, including movies and television shows. Internet piracy has been a major source of grief for Hollywood studios and unions. The measure, dubbed the Protect IP bill, follows similar legislation introduced last year in the previous Congress and could come up for a full vote in the Senate this summer.

Israel said Sunday that it was delaying the transfer of about $89 million in tax revenue belonging to the Palestinian Authority, the latest sign of souring relations in connection with a proposed unity government between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said Israel was concerned that the money — including customs fees and taxes collected by Israel on behalf of Palestinians — could eventually be used to benefit Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip, if the militant group announces a new joint government with Fatah as expected later this week.

In a little-noticed bipartisan effort, House Republicans and Senate Democrats have agreed to press for new laws to crack down on "rogue websites" that sell pirated copies of movies, TV shows, music and video games or counterfeit goods like sportswear and prescription drugs. "What these rogue websites do is theft, pure and simple," said Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "They are no more than digital stores selling stolen property. The Internet needs to be free and open — not lawless.

A federal grand jury has indicted 14 suspected pirates in the attack on a yacht in the Indian Ocean that left four Americans dead. Thirteen Somalis and one Yemeni made initial appearances in a Norfolk, Va., courtroom Thursday on charges of piracy, kidnapping and firearms possession. The four Americans, Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Rey, and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle of Seattle, were sailing the 58-foot Quest off the coast of Oman last month, headed toward the Red Sea, when their yacht was attacked.

In his previous foray into Hollywood, former U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd played himself in the 1993 political satire "Dave. " Now, he is cast in a far tougher role as head of the Motion Picture Assn. of America, the lobbying arm for Hollywood's movie and TV studios and frequent exponent of American popular culture. Hollywood has been without a permanent industry lobbyist for nearly a year since former Rep. and Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman stepped down after a troubled tenure.