A US bill would let courts order VPN providers to block foreign piracy sites. It is the first American proposal to name VPNs explicitly.

Representative Darrell Issa introduced the American Copyright Protection Act, H.R. 10364, on Sept. 14. The bill lets copyright owners ask a federal court to declare a foreign website a “piracy site.” Courts could then order broadband providers, DNS resolvers and VPNs to block US users from reaching it.

Providers with at least 100,000 monthly US users would be covered. They would get 14 to 30 days to comply. Orders would last up to 12 months and could be renewed.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation warns the bill threatens internet infrastructure and privacy tools. It says key due-process concerns remain.

A rival bill, the DEFEND IP Act from Senator Thom Tillis and Representative Zoe Lofgren, targets the same piracy sites but explicitly exempts VPNs.

Issa’s bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. There has been no hearing or vote yet. It is not law.