The House of Representatives in the US yesterday passed the Piracy Deterrence and Education Act which, among other things, makes videotaping films in cinemas a crime and clears the way for the Justice Department to prosecute individuals who they believe to be illegally sharing large amounts of music or other copyrighted content online.
According to the LA Times, one of the initiatives likely to be launched if the bill becomes law is the distribution of FBI headed warning letters to anyone suspected of illegally downloading music or movies. Downloaders would be sent the very formal looking cease and desist letters via their internet service provider.
The bill now heads to Senate where it could be considered as early as next week.