An anti-piracy bill was passed by the US House of Representatives last week.

The bill, known as the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 (HR 4279), was passed by 410 votes to 11. The draft legislation had been approved by the US House Judiciary Committee on April 30.

John Conyers Jr, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the bill in December last year along with 19 other co-sponsors.

The bill would create an office in the White House dedicated to coordinating IP enforcement efforts and producing a national joint strategic plan for IP enforcement.

It would also make changes to both civil and criminal IP laws to increase penalties for IP violations that endanger public health and safety.

The Copyright Alliance, which has lobbied politicians to pass the bill, said it was pleased with developments.

Executive director Patrick Ross said: "These are all positives for copyright owners, they are positives for consumers who enjoy creative works, and they are positives for an economy that needs continued creation of new jobs and favorable trade balances, all of which are delivered by copyright industries."

Gigi Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, said: “The bill restores the principle of non-discrimination that allowed the internet to flourish in the dial-up era, making certain that the same freedom and innovation will flourish in the broadband era without burdensome regulation.”

A Senate version of the Pro IP Act was introduced last year by Senator Patrick Leahy and is in committee.