MUMBAI: Unions representing directors, actors and technical crews have come out in support for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy and senior Republican member Sen. Orrin Hatch, who introduced a bill that would give the Justice Department more arm space to track and shut down websites that provide access to unauthorized downloads, streaming or sale of copyright content.

The unions find themselves in the unusual position of siding with management on the bill. "We represent 300,000 creators, film talent and crafts people who create a multitude of diverse films, television programs and sound recordings that are sought by consumers around the world,‘‘ the unions said in a statement.

The Motion Picture Assn. of America also is backing the legislation, called the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act. But the measure is facing stiff opposition from a number of consumer and interest groups, such as the Electronic Foundation, which contend that it would curb freedom of speech, hence is unnecessary.