Dear Ms. Fitts,

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office regarding S.968, the ‘Preventing Real Online Threats to Economics Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011,’ or PROTECT IP Act. Your input is important to me and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.

The consequences from an inability to protect intellectual property are substantial and far reaching. Piracy of intellectual property discourages creative thought and prevents innovative ideas from coming to fruition and being an important source of economic strength to our country.

As you may know, the vote to bring this legislation to the Senate floor has been delayed. I think this decision is appropriate at this point as it is clear that greater consensus is needed before anti-piracy legislation can become law. However, I remain committed to passing legislation that will combat foreign websites dedicated to stealing the intellectual property of Americans, while also protecting free speech and fostering Internet commerce and innovation.

I will certainly take your thoughts into consideration should any legislation addressing intellectual property theft on the Internet come before the full Senate, and I thank you for your input.

Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.

US Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn