Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB791

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act

Impact

If enacted, the FADPA would significantly impact how copyright laws are enforced against foreign entities. The bill would allow copyright holders to petition U.S. District Courts for a preliminary order that could lead to the blocking of specific infringing websites. Courts would be able to act expeditiously, particularly when there is a risk of imminent harm from live events transmitted illegally. However, the act also provides safeguards to ensure that service providers can contest the issuance of these orders or seek modifications if they inadvertently block access to lawful content.

Summary

House Bill 791, known as the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act (FADPA), seeks to amend Title 17 of the United States Code. The bill is designed to empower U.S. courts to issue blocking orders against foreign websites or online services that engage in copyright infringement. The focus is primarily on websites that are specifically designed for infringing copyright, operate without a commercially significant purpose apart from infringing upon copyright, or are marketed in such a way to promote copyright infringement. This legislation aims to provide copyright owners with a mechanism to protect their intellectual property from unauthorized use across borders.

Contention

There are several notable points of contention surrounding HB791. Critics argue that the bill may infringe on principles of net neutrality by mandating internet service providers to block access to specified sites, potentially leading to overreach and interference with user access to legitimate content. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the bill's implications for international law, particularly in terms of how it may affect relations with countries hosting the targeted foreign websites. Supporters counter that the bill is necessary to protect U.S. intellectual property rights and address the growing impact of digital piracy on American creators and industries.

Congress_id

119-HR-791

Policy_area

Commerce

Introduced_date

2025-01-28

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US SB495

Prove It Act of 2025

US SB889

Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025

US SB326

American Music Fairness Act This bill establishes that the copyright holder of a sound recording shall have the exclusive right to perform the sound recording through an audio transmission. (Currently, the public performance right only covers performances through a digital audio transmission in certain instances, which means that nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to get a license to publicly perform a copyright-protected sound recording.) Under the bill, a nonsubscription broadcast transmission must have a license to publicly perform such sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board must periodically determine the royalty rates for such a license. When determining the rates, the board must base its decision on certain information presented by the parties, including the radio stations' effect on other streams of revenue related to the sound recordings. Terrestrial broadcast stations (and the owners of such stations) that fall below certain revenue thresholds may pay certain flat fees, instead of the board-established rate, for a license to publicly perform copyright-protected sound recordings.

US SB140

Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025

US HB861

American Music Fairness Act of 2025This bill establishes that the copyright holder of a sound recording shall have the exclusive right to perform the sound recording through an audio transmission. (Currently, the public performance right only covers performances through a digital audio transmission in certain instances, which means that nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to get a license to publicly perform a copyright-protected sound recording.)Under the bill, a nonsubscription broadcast transmission must have a license to publicly perform such sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board must periodically determine the royalty rates for such a license. When determining the rates, the board must base its decision on certain information presented by the parties, including the radio stations' effect on other streams of revenue related to the sound recordings.Terrestrial broadcast stations (and the owners of such stations) that fall below certain revenue thresholds may pay certain flat fees, instead of the board-established rate, for a license to publicly perform copyright-protected sound recordings.

US HB2230

Independent Programmers Tax Incentive Act

US SB278

Kids Off Social Media ActThis bill limits children’s access to social media platforms and requires both platforms and schools to implement certain restrictions on children’s social media usage. Specifically, the bill prohibits social media platforms from knowingly allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms must delete existing accounts held by children and any personal data collected from child users. Platforms are also generally prohibited from using automated systems to suggest or promote content based on personal data collected from users under the age of 17. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these provisions. States may also bring civil actions against platforms whose violations of these provisions have adversely affected their residents. Further, as a condition of receiving discounted telecommunications service under the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-Rate) program, schools must enforce policies preventing the use of E-Rate-supported services, networks, and devices to access social media, and must use blocking or filtering technology to prevent such access. Schools that do not make a good faith effort to comply and correct known violations are required to reimburse any E-Rate support they received for the applicable period. Schools must also submit copies of their internet safety policies to the Federal Communications Commission for publication. Under the bill, social media platforms are defined as public-facing sites that function primarily as forums for user-generated content. Some categories of online platforms are explicitly excluded, including sites that provide primarily videoconferencing, emailing, or educational services.

US HB603

Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act of 2025