U.S. Site Blocking Bill Adds VPNs to the List of Blocking Intermediaries
2 hours ago
- The American Copyright Protection Act now explicitly covers VPN providers in addition to ISPs and DNS resolvers.
- Smaller VPN services with fewer than 100,000 monthly US users are exempt from the bill.
- Blocking orders require providers to prevent US users from accessing foreign piracy sites, with a 14 to 30 day compliance period.
- The bill allows for expedited blocking of time-sensitive events like live sports and newly leaked movies or TV shows.
- VPN providers can contest blocking orders, but courts consider factors like technical feasibility and efficacy.
- The bill's fate is uncertain as Rep. Issa is retiring, and a rival site-blocking bill is also being developed.