A new bill introduced in the US Congress is causing quite a stir. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) has proposed a law that would allow copyright owners to get court orders blocking access to foreign websites accused of piracy. The plan would also require DNS providers to block these sites.

Lofgren says she’s been working with tech and entertainment industries for over a year to create a solution that targets overseas copyright violators without harming the open Internet. She’s hopeful her proposal, called the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act, will gain bipartisan support.

Supporters, like the Motion Picture Association, argue that similar laws in other countries, including Canada and the UK, have successfully reduced piracy while keeping legal content accessible. However, critics aren’t convinced.

Consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge has slammed the bill as a “censorious site-blocking” measure. They warn that it could turn internet providers into copyright enforcers and create a system ripe for abuse.

Meredith Rose, a policy expert at Public Knowledge, claims the bill ignores the root issue by targeting websites instead of taking legal action against the people running them. She also expressed concerns that one court ruling could block access to a site globally, which could lead to unintended consequences.

The debate over the bill highlights the ongoing tension between protecting copyright and preserving internet freedom. As discussions continue, one thing is clear: this proposal will face significant pushback from advocates of a free and open web.