DEFEND IP proposal would let rightsholders seek orders blocking entire websites

The proposed DEFEND IP Act would let copyright holders obtain court orders requiring service providers to block access to entire websites after alleging infringement, the Electronic Frontier Foundation says. The organization argues that this would extend enforcement beyond removing individual infringing works to blocking sites containing other users' lawful content. EFF says the proposal lacks penalties for bad-faith blocking requests and meaningful remedies for people whose protected speech becomes inaccessible. Site owners, users or readers would need to hire a lawyer and challenge an order in court. The organization is urging Congress to abandon the proposal.