The European Parliament is about to vote on the EU Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive which is designed to combat forms of piracy that include everything from CDs to fashion accessories. Privacy advocates fear this law is too broad.

Companies that suspect their trademarks are being infringed are given the right to conduct raids on homes, seize property and even freeze peoples bank accounts. Privacy advocates say people who use P2P networks like Kazaa could face such action.

Comparisons are being made to the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Some say a distinction is needed between P2P users and professional counterfeiters. A close vote is expected as critics call for amendments to this bill.

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