Software group reorganizes to focus on lobbying, anti-piracy efforts

{mosads}”We are fully integrating our public policy, government relations, and public engagement activities around emerging issues that are critical to our members’ new and existing lines of business,” BSA President Robert Holleyman said in a statement. “We also are expanding our focus as the industry’s premier anti-piracy organization, because new technology architectures in cloud and handheld computing are creating new challenges for protecting intellectual property.”

The BSA initially commended lawmakers when they introduced the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) last year. But when opposition to SOPA began mounting, the BSA announced it would only support the bill if lawmakers made significant revisions.

Web companies warned SOPA would stifle innovation and censor online content. Massive protests forced Congress to shelve the legislation in January. 

BSA General Counsel Jodie Kelley will head the group’s new unit devoted to anti-piracy efforts. The office will lead projects in enforcement, education, marketing and public policy. 

Matt Reid, formerly the vice president of communications, will head the organization’s new advocacy unit as senior vice president of external affairs.

Katherine McGuire, a former aide to Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), will continue to drive the group’s “direct engagement with policymakers.”

BSA also said it plans to move its headquarters to Capitol Hill this summer. 

–Updated at 2:21 p.m.