EFF has a write-up about the INDUCE Act, which is an act introduced by Orrin Hatch and the other Senators on the RIAA payroll to allow record labels to sue companies if they even so much as provided an environment where music or movie piracy might occur.
So, BitTorrent's developers made a network to allow people to download software easier? Could be sued. Apple sells the iPod? Could be sued. Hell, even hard drive manufacturers and makers of CD-Rs could be sued.
Back in the 1980's, the movie studios tried to stop VCRs from coming out, claiming that their introduction would ruin the movie industry, driving people out of work, and would cause skyrocketing piracy.
Obviously, it didn't happen, and the Courts and Congress refused to act on the Movie Studio demands, preferring instead to let the free market handle the issue. Now it is a different time, and odds are, this bill will get passed unless you talk to your senators and express your discontent.
More information can be found here.
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