2007年VOA标准英语-Proposed Measure Would Stiffen Penalties Agains

The Bush administration is stepping up its campaign to protect U.S. intellectual property rights by putting convicted offenders¹ in jail for longer stretches.  The administration is proposing stiffer penalties against counterfeiters in a bill submitted to Congress this week.  More from VOA's Bill Rodgers.  

As counterfeiting² of videos, CDs and other products continues, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has announced measures to stop the practice.

"This legislation would provide stronger penalties for repeat offenders and increase the maximum penalty for counterfeiting offenses³ if the defendant⁴ knowingly or recklessly causes serious bodily injury or death,” he said. ”And the bill would hit the criminals in their wallets by strengthening restitution⁵ provisions and making sure they forfeit⁶ all of their illicit⁷ profits as well as any property used to commit their crimes."

Authorities say counterfeiting of pharmaceuticals⁸ and even vital medical devices such as stents and meshes⁹ used in surgery is becoming more common -- posing serious risks. Under the proposed bill, those convicted of counterfeiting these products could face life in prison.

The aim is to crack down on intellectual property theft, which costs the U.S. economy more than $200 billion a year -- and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Christopher Israel

The proposed measure is now before Congress, where lawmakers are considering various bills to strengthen intellectual property enforcement.