In a sign that the debate over copyright infringement is heating up in Congress, RIAA chief Mitch Bainwol is urging lawmakers to approve legislation that would allow creative artists and rights holders to sue companies that profit by encouraging people to commit acts of copyright infringement. In a letter to all 100 senators, Bainwol contends that the legislation does not target P2P technologies and is necessary to protect legitimate interests. The letter follows one sent last week by 40 consumer electronics, Internet and high-tech companies and groups and precedes a hearing on the legislation that could come next week.

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