American Copyright Protection Act of 2026

The American Copyright Protection Act of 2026 establishes a new legal framework allowing copyright owners to petition federal courts for orders that require internet service providers to block U.S. access to foreign websites determined to be primarily dedicated to copyright infringement. To obtain such an order, a copyright owner must first secure a judicial declaration that the foreign site is a piracy hub and then demonstrate that blocking it through specific service providers would significantly reduce access from within the United States. The bill mandates that these blocking orders expire after 12 months unless extended by the court, requires copyright owners to post bonds to cover potential costs for wrongly enjoined service providers, and limits the scope of enforcement to designated district courts. Additionally, the legislation preempts state and local laws regarding foreign digital piracy and grants service providers liability protections when they implement these blocking orders in good faith.