Spain Revises Penal Code on Piracy, Set to Punish With Prison

In a decision that could punish web operators who link to pirated material with up to 6 years in prison, the Spanish Government has given initial approval to a bill revising the Penal Code with new punishments for intellectual property crimes.

The bill approved in Madrid by the Council of Ministers Sept. 20 is currently awaiting study and approval by parliament, where the ruling Popular Party’s absolute majority would guarantee passage. A number for the bill, which would modify the Penal Code approved by Organic Law 10/1995, is pending.

As part of a greater move to take on the “criminal ...