Pres. Bush has signed the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act of 2008.  The act is designed to give increased penalties against infringement and specifically against counterfeiters.  The bills increases the amount of statutory damages available and provides for trebled damages in the case of counterfeiting.   It also broadens a Court's ability to impound the materials used to make infringements, i.e. an infringer's computer.

The legislation also includes the creation of a new post in the Executive Branch to oversee IP enforcement.  Gone from the legislation, however, is a provision that would allow the Department of Justice to file civil actions and turn the proceeds over to copyright owners.  The Bush Administration insisted that the provision be removed, because the Department of Justice should not be "pro bono" lawyers for Intellectual Property holders.

Of course, all of the new provisions can be avoided by simply being honest and not infringing other peoples work.  If you want it - just pay for it.