Will H.R. 5211 allow copyright owners to bring down P2P networks?
No. H.R. 5211 is quite clear that it only immunizes the blocking of copyright infringement on P2P networks. A copyright owner would remain fully liable for any action that brings down or otherwise disrupts P2P networks, even though such disruptions were the unintended consequence of stopping infringements. It is critical to remember that H.R. 5211 does not create some new, affirmative right for copyright owners, but only provides them with a limited safe harbor from potential liability under other laws. As such, H.R. 5211 only limits a copyright owners liability for the activities specified in the legislation, and cannot be read to limit liability for activities not specified therein. Attempts by piracy profiteers to read the bill more broadly are akin to saying that H.R. 5211 would allow a copyright owner to burn down a P2P users house if such arson had the effect of disrupting file trading.
