WA Lege Day 64: IT piracy bills getting reworked

OLYMPIA – Bills aimed at fighting the theft of Information Technology around the globe were criticized Monday by retailers and some high tech companies as legislative committees tried to reconcile different proposals on the topic that passed each chamber with large margins.
The bills are sought by Microsoft, which estimates as much as 90 percent of manufacturing in China is done with stolen software and IT, and supported by the Motion Picture Association of America.
But the Washington Retail Association, Fred Meyer stores, IBM, General Motors and an information technology association to which Microsoft no longer belongs all oppose the bills, saying they would embroil stores and manufacturers in lawsuits.

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