Analysis: Rogue Sites Bill Enjoys Rare, Extensive Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON (Top40 Charts/ RIAA) The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today released an extensive analysis that underscores the unique nature of the broad, bipartisan support for the PROTECT IP Act in the Senate. The PROTECT IP Act seeks to prevent offshore illegal "rogue" sites from stealing American content and duping consumers into buying fake and potentially harmful products. Introduced in May by Sen. Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the legislation currently has 39 bipartisan co-sponsors.

To put that into perspective, according to the RIAA analysis (yes, researchers reviewed each individual bill - there's no way to search Congressional databases by number of co-sponsors), 1882 bills have been introduced in the Senate in this session, and only 31 other bills besides PROTECT IP similarly enjoy the support of at least 35 co-sponsors. Of those 31, only 18 other bills enjoy substantial bipartisan support -- that means a mere 19 bills total (including PROTECT IP) out of nearly 1900 introduced in the Senate this Congress.

"This analysis demonstrates just how rare it is for legislation in the Senate to have extensive and bipartisan support," said Cary Sherman, Chairman and CEO, RIAA. "When it does happen, it speaks to the common-sense nature of the bill's underlying purpose. The PROTECT IP Act is about protecting American jobs and creativity, plain and simple, and keeping Americans safe. 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."

A breakdown of the 18 of 1882 bills (outside of PROTECT IP) introduced in the Senate with more than 35 bipartisan co-sponsors is available upon request.