Source: Legis1

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet held a June 30 hearing titled "A Midlife Crisis? IP and the Internet After 40" to assess whether U.S. copyright law and digital protections remain adequate decades after the internet's creation. Lawmakers and witnesses pressed for updates to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, arguing it predates generative AI and has become less effective against foreign piracy websites. The hearing highlighted bipartisan concern about online piracy and unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas while referencing the Trump administration's stated goal of protecting creators and encouraging AI development.

Six witnesses from the entertainment industry, technology sector and academia presented differing views on enforcement and AI regulation. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin urged stronger protections against unauthorized digital replicas and criticized opt-out approaches to consent for performers' likenesses. Technology representatives, including Chris Mohr of the Software & Information Industry Association, warned some proposals could hinder legitimate tech development, while Chris Floyd of Amblin Entertainment urged refining rather than abandoning DMCA enforcement. The NO FAKES Act and judicial site-blocking legislation were discussed, multiple committee members and witnesses endorsed site-blocking for foreign piracy sites, stakeholders including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce submitted letters, and the subcommittee is expected to continue examining unresolved questions around fair use, AI licensing and enforcement.