US Gov Moves Closer to Blocking Pirate Sites With New Bill

The United States is taking another step toward blocking access to pirate websites.

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act (FADPA), a bill that would allow rightsholders to obtain court-ordered site blocks against proven piracy websites.

These blocking orders would apply to internet service providers (ISPs) and DNS resolvers, a move that could have a broad impact.

For years, U.S. politicians have been hesitant to introduce site-blocking measures, largely due to the backlash against the failed SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) bill in 2012.

But in the past few years we have seen US Lawmakers push site blocking measures more frequently. If FADPA becomes law, the U.S. would join more than 60 countries that have already implemented site-blocking regulations.

What Happens if FADPA is Passed?

If passed, FADPA would amend existing copyright law to specifically target foreign piracy websites. The bill defines these as sites that are “primarily designed” for copyright infringement.

A key aspect of the bill is that both ISPs and DNS resolvers would be required to comply with blocking orders.

While ISPs have been forced to block pirate sites in other countries, including the UK and Australia, DNS resolvers have largely remained outside such regulations.

FADPA would change that, requiring large DNS providers like Google and Cloudflare to comply. Smaller DNS providers with annual revenue under $100 million would be exempt.

How the Blocking Process Would Work

FADPA outlines a structured legal process to ensure due process and judicial oversight before a site is blocked. The steps include:

1. Petition – A copyright owner or licensee files a petition in U.S. District Court, identifying the pirate website’s domain or IP address.
2. Notice – The petitioner must notify both the website operator and the service providers listed in the petition.
3. Court Review – A judge determines if the case meets legal requirements for a preliminary order.
4. Opportunity to Contest – The website operator has 30 days to challenge the order in court.
5. Motion for Blocking Order – If the preliminary order is upheld, the petitioner can request a final blocking order. The court must ensure the order does not unintentionally block lawful content or place an excessive burden on service providers.
6. Final Order – If the court is satisfied, a final order is issued, and service providers must implement the block within 15 days.

Importantly, all court orders would be made public, and service providers would have flexibility in choosing how to comply.

Praise and Criticism

FADPA is being framed as a measured approach to combat online piracy while protecting free speech and due process. Representative Lofgren, who previously opposed SOPA, believes this bill strikes the right balance between enforcement and internet freedom.

Supporters of the bill, including MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin, argue that it provides a strong tool to combat offshore piracy while avoiding unnecessary harm to legitimate websites.

However, critics are already pushing back. Consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge warns that the bill could set a dangerous precedent for online censorship.

Meredith Rose, a representative from the group, argues that lawmakers should focus on taking legal action against the operators of piracy websites, rather than creating new censorship mechanisms.

What’s Next?

With the bill now introduced, stakeholders across the tech, internet, and entertainment industries will likely weigh in before it moves forward.

While public opposition to site blocking may not be as intense as it was in the SOPA era, the debate over copyright enforcement vs. internet freedom is far from over.

If passed, FADPA could reshape how the U.S. handles online piracy, setting a precedent for further regulations in the future. Expect heated discussions before the bill comes up for a vote.

For more details on this story, refer to the official FADPA Bill (PDF) and the report from TorrentFreak.

We want to know your thoughts on this story. What do you think about this latest site blocking push from the US Gov? Let us know in the comment section below!

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