Bush Administration officials outlined the details of a new intel...

Bush Administration officials outlined the details of a new intellectual property initiative Mon. in response to recent calls for an increase in efforts against infringement. Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft, U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Zoellick, Commerce Secy. Don Evans and Dept. of Homeland Security Undersecy. Asa Hutchinson held a briefing for Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP), after which various groups expressed frustration with the problem of piracy and hailed the plan. STOP establishes an information hotline for businesses (1-866-999-HALT), as well as allowing rights holders to register their rights with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection without first having to register a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. A joint release said the organizations will push for legislation to empower federal courts to issue injunctions against pirated goods in any U.S. jurisdiction -- courts currently may issue injunctions against potential violations only in their own jurisdictions. Calling the trade of illegally copied goods “a global problem,” David Hirschmann, Chamber of Commerce senior vp, said intellectual property theft has cost the U.S. 750,000 jobs. Claiming that 36% of all software was pirated last year, Business Software Alliance (BSA) Pres. Robert Holleyman made a strong plea for international enforcement, also saying U.S. economic and job strength are on the line and calling the initiative a “significant step forward.” Assn. for Competitive Technology (ACT) Pres. Jonathan Zuck said “Intellectual Property is the crown jewel of the American economy and the government must do everything possible to protect it abroad.” ACT, strongly supported by Microsoft and other major software firms, estimated that 7% of all international trade is pirated intellectual property.