The United States is reevaluating how it combats online piracy, with a new federal bill proposing that virtual private networks (VPNs) help block access to foreign websites that host illegal content. The American Copyright Protection Act of 2026, introduced by Republican Representative Darrell Issa, would allow copyright holders to request a federal court to block access to specific foreign sites known for distributing pirated material. This approach follows a similar path to what has happened in France, where efforts to stop piracy have moved beyond traditional Internet service providers to include alternative domain name systems (DNS) and now also include VPNs, which are tools that help users access the internet more privately or from different locations. In France, the Paris judicial court made several rulings in 2026 that required major VPN providers to block access to websites illegally broadcasting sports events. For example, a court order on March 18 required CyberGhost and ExpressVPN to block 35 domain names associated with the unauthorized streaming of LaLiga matches. Similar actions were taken against other well-known providers like ProtonVPN and Surfshark, and even NordVPN was targeted in some cases. These decisions reflect a growing trend in Europe to hold technical intermediaries accountable for facilitating access to pirated content. The American proposal would require large VPN services—those with at least 100,000 users or subscribers in the U.S.—to assist in blocking efforts. However, the bill does not clearly explain how a provider would prevent an American user from accessing a site when using a server located outside the country. The goal is clear, but the practical steps remain unclear. The American Copyright Protection Act (ACPA) comes after previous legislative efforts. The Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act, introduced by Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren in early 2025, had already revived the idea of blocking pirate sites. A bipartisan bill called the Block BEARD Act is currently being prepared in the Senate. However, the return of this approach is not without controversy. Digital rights groups and some technology companies warn of the risks of over-blocking, which could accidentally affect legitimate services. On the other hand, the entertainment industry supports the approach, noting that more than 50 democracies have already implemented similar measures. France has also experimented with automated, real-time blocking of pirated sports streams, though the system is not yet fully effective. The U.S. is now joining a growing number of European countries that are gradually expanding the use of blocking measures beyond just Internet service providers.