Lawmakers Introduce Site-Blocking Legislation To Curb Foreign-Digital Piracy

US lawmakers have introduced a new anti-piracy bill. It is called the DEFEND IP Act. If it passes, content owners could ask a judge to block pirate websites. Internet providers would then have to stop customers reaching those sites. Politicians from both parties support the bill, which was introduced on Thursday. The bill targets sites in other countries. A judge would decide whether a site exists only to break copyright. Blocking orders would last 360 days before they must be renewed.

This is not the first attempt. In 2012, Congress looked at a similar law called SOPA. Big tech companies and internet users fought it hard, and it failed. Film and music studios have wanted a new blocking law ever since. Critics worry that blocking sites can be misused and could slow the open internet.

A law like this could change which websites people in the US can open. It also affects how films, shows and live sport reach audiences worldwide.