Hackers who secretly install "spyware" on others' computers and Internet users who copy movies and music without permission could face up to three years in prison under bills that advanced in Congress Wednesday.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to enlist the government to a greater degree in the entertainment industry's fight against those who copy its products over the Internet.
The committee also voted to establish criminal penalties for those who install spyware on others' computers to commit identity theft or other crimes.
"We must not let Internet technologies become a haven for criminals," said Rep. Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican.
Under the wide-ranging copyright bill, Internet users who distribute more than 1,000 songs through "peer to peer" networks like Kazaa and Morpheus could face up to three years in prison.
People who secretly videotape movies when they are shown in theaters could also go to prison for up to three years.
The Senate approved similar bills in June.
But in a provision likely to anger Hollywood, companies that edit out sex and violence from movies to make them more "family friendly" would be immune from copyright suits.
Rep. Howard Berman, a Democrat whose Los Angeles district includes many entertainment companies, said that provision could potentially allow third parties to strip out commercials from television shows, or insert commercials of their own with impunity.
The recording industry has sued more than 3,000 individuals over the past year for copyright violations, but the Justice Department so far has only brought a handful of cases.
The bill would train agents to investigate intellectual-property crimes and set up a Justice Department program to educate the public about copyright rules.
Justice Department investigators would be able to send warnings to users they suspect of copying songs illegally, sending the messages to their Internet providers to pass along.
The recording industry issued similar warnings before it began suing individuals last fall.
Both the copyright bill and the spyware bill now head to the House floor for consideration.
The spyware bill could be combined with one passed by the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this year that would require software makers to notify people before loading new programs on their computers.
