Homeland Security Is Seizing Internet Domains Left And Right

The Department of Homeland Security’s ICE has launched a major crackdown on websites enabling copyright infringement or selling counterfeits of trademarked goods. In just the past few days ICE has seized at least 12 domains, TorrentFreak reports.

All of these domains now display the image shown here.

The sites fall into two categories: torrent sites that enable the download of copyrighted music, and sites selling knockoffs of trademarked goods like designer handbags.

A controversial bill that would allow the Attorney General to shut down domains on similar grounds was recently derailed (temporarily) by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden.

The owner of an affected site told TorrentFreak that his domain was taken over without any prior complaints or notification from the court.

An argument in favor of a more dynamic system of IP laws. Though, I have no problem with the government shutting down sites that enable pirating of creative goods. Therefore the concern becomes one of how far the government could take such behavior towards limiting the free expression and distribution of information.  So, should the Copyright Clause (Article 1, Section 8) be inextricably connected to the 1st Amendment?