Protecting intellectual property and Internet freedom

Senator Coons, a leader on protecting American innovation, has worked with Delaware businesses large and small on solutions to prevent foreign criminals from pirating their products, designs or ideas. This type of intellectual property theft affects tens of thousands of jobs in Delaware.

After a Senate vote on the PROTECT IP Act was delayed, Chris said “I have heard from a significant number of Delawareans on the issue this week through both digital and traditional channels and I deeply appreciate their engagement. I passionately share their concern for protecting Internet freedom and will bear it in mind as we move forward on this and future legislation.”

 In a statement to the press, Chris continued “We cannot pretend that online piracy isn't an issue, nor can we pretend that the Internet can be a lawless domain. Tech companies cannot blindly profit from the theft of American intellectual property, just as content providers cannot pretend that their products exist in a vacuum. They must learn to cohabitate the Internet space, and to work constructively with Congress on a fair legal infrastructure for policing that space. Congress will not turn away from its role in crafting a responsible balance that accommodates both property and freedom. “