Espinel Confirmed as IP Enforcement Coordinator

Will work to balance net neutrality with piracy protection

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/4/2009 10:51:26 AM

The Senate Thursday night confirmed Victoria Espinel as the country's first IP Enforcement Coordinator.

Espinel told Senate Judiciary Committee members at her confirmation hearing last month that one of the first issues she will need to grapple with is balancing network neutrality and piracy protection.

Espinel said she knew there was a tension between those two aims, but thought there didn't have to be. She said she believed there was a way to insure an open Internet, leave room for reasonable network management and still make sure the Internet was not being used for the distribution of "all types of illegal content," including pirated material.

The White House IP post, which will coordinate enforcement of intellectual property laws by various government agencies, was created by the Pro-IP Act.

"Ms. Espinel has the opportunity to improve enforcement and promotion of IP rights in the U.S. and abroad," said Dr. Mark Esper, executive VP of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Intellectual Property Center, in a statement. "Her extensive background and expertise in these areas will be crucial as she works to protect the creative and innovative industries that help drive our economic growth. This action by the Senate is a historic step in recognizing the importance of America's innovative and creative economy."