Representative Issa Introduced Copyright Protection Act
New legislation aims to mandate site blocking for foreign piracy websites through ISPs, DNS providers, and large VPNs.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Representative Darrell Issa has introduced the American Copyright Protection Act, a bill that would force service providers to block access to designated foreign piracy sites. The legislation specifically targets platforms with at least 100,000 monthly American users to protect new movies and TV shows.
Why it matters
The bill provides a legal mechanism for copyright holders to petition federal courts to issue blocking orders against foreign piracy sites. It aims to curtail unauthorized distribution by requiring service providers to restrict access within specified compliance windows.
The proposed legislation covers service providers with 100,000 or more monthly users and mandates compliance with blocking orders within 14 to 30 days. It protects media content released within 24 hours of its authorized launch.
The players
Darrell Issa
Darrell Issa is a veteran United States Representative who has served multiple terms in the House and is set to retire at the end of the year.
The details
Under the act, copyright holders must petition a federal court to declare a website a foreign piracy site before a blocking order can be issued. The bill prevents courts from mandating specific technical implementation methods for these blocks, though judges may shorten compliance deadlines for time-sensitive content like live sports.
Timeline
Representative Issa discussed draft legislation during a House hearing in June 2025.
The American Copyright Protection Act was formally introduced in September 2026.
The Tech Race
This legislation marks a return to legislative debates regarding site-blocking mandates last seen during the push for the Stop Online Piracy Act. It positions the U.S. regulatory environment against a globalized digital landscape where piracy sites frequently operate beyond domestic reach.
Users of large VPN services may experience restricted access to specific websites designated as foreign piracy hubs under court orders. The bill does not dictate technical methods for these blocks, leaving the implementation to the discretion of service providers.
The takeaway
The proposed act signals a shift toward stricter court-mandated content controls for digital service providers operating in the U.S. market. As this legislation progresses, consumers should expect potential changes in how ISPs and large VPNs handle access to specific foreign domains.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving digital security measures in the Cybersecurity section.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. government require internet service providers to block websites for copyright enforcement?
