Sen. Wyden says he will block new version of COICA

“These major content lobbyists shouldn’t be provided the authority to cluster bomb on the ‘Net.”

A range of content industry trade groups such as the Recording Industry Association of America, the Motion Picture Association of America and others have lined up behind the legislative effort. They argue online piracy steals revenue from American workers and costs millions of domestic jobs.

Wyden said he couldn’t favor a bill that allows the government to seize domains without due process and prosecute sites just for linking to infringing content, arguing such a law would undermine the very structure of the Internet itself.

Wyden said his staff has been exploring alliances with conservatives and other libertarian-minded lawmakers who might be wary of increasing the government’s ability to seize private property without due process.