Websites Dark Jan. 18 to Protest Piracy Act; Patch Still Posted Local News
The Stop Online Piracy Act is supposed to stop copyright infringement, but feels more like censorship for some people.
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Imagine going to look for some information on the internet only to discover that site after site is down or blocked.
If the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is signed into law, some folks think blank or down websites is exactly what users will get in the name of stopping copyright infringement on the web.
In a nutshell, SOPA gives government and major corporations the ability to shut down websites they think violate copyright laws without a trial or even a traditional court hearing. Hollywood movie studios and recording companies are all for this, claiming to have suffered losses in the millions of dollars because of illegal downloads and file sharing.
Several websites are going dark or posting messages today, Jan. 18, to support not passing SOPA: Google, Wikipedia, TwitPic, reddit and ICanHazCheezburger.com are just a few participating in the online protest. Neither AOL nor Patch is participating though both companies firmly support an open and free web.
"As written, we cannot support the bills. We believe an open Internet is critical for innovation, job creation, and the sustained growth of Internet businesses. We are in the process of working directly with lawmakers to improve the bills," said Tekedra N. Mawakana, AOL's Senior Vice President of Public Policy.
Locally, Rob Zerban, the Kenosha businessman challenging Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Janesville), announced his campaign website will be dark today in support of killing the SOPA bill. Like many lawmakers in Washington, Ryan has stated he no longer supports SOPA because of the possibility for censorship and legal abuse.
Joe Greenfield
12:11 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I think this poll should be reworded.
Yes, pass it now
No, this bill isn't a fair process to determine copyright infringement
I don't know
There is already procedures set up to determine copyright infringement. The problem is it can be a long process and is difficult if not impossible to execute out of the U.S. This bill, along with it's counterpart, PIPA, however are so loosely worded and grant so much power to individual companies that the legal abuse could be staggering. Hopefully, both the House and Senate versions will not pass as currently written.
James R Hoffa
1:53 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Both SOPA and PIPA are little more than lobbyist paid for policy initiatives that cater to a very select special interest by turning both law enforcement and judicial powers and authority over to corporations, essentially permitting them to act as the police, judge, jury, and executioner. Talk about a further erosion of our constitution and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. You know it's bad when both sides of the partisan political aisle can come together and reach the same negative consensus. These bills must absolutely be defeated!
SkinnyDude
4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
im sure Nancy Pelosi wants this to pass so she can find out what is in it afterword.
However,The least amount of barriers create the best ideas Long term.. Clearly, I understand Piracy is a problem , but specific issues should never be solved with broad measures that have an adverse effect. If they're legitimate issues in the specific bill hopefuly someone is looking at the big picture instead of the lobby power.
Sure glad Obama got rid of all those lobbiest. That part of it is a complete joke.
James R Hoffa
4:30 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
@skinnyDUDE -
Very nice - especially the references to Pelosi and Obama, all too true!
BTW -
I'd like to personally invite everyone to come check out the second install of Hoffa's Retro Cinema Club, featuring a filmmaker spotlight on B-movie veteran Charles Band and a look at his film 'Meridian: Kiss of the Beast' (1990).
It can be accessed here: http://mountpleasant.patch.com/blog_posts/hoffas-retro-cinema-club-film-maker-spotlight-on-charles-band-ft-meridian-kiss-of-the-beast-1990
Cheers!
Joe Greenfield
6:53 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Pelosi has been stating she's against the bills since November.
mau
5:01 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
PIPA and SOPA Co-Sponsors Abandon Bills
http://mashable.com/2012/01/18/pipa-sopa-abandon-bill/
Heather Asiyanbi
5:04 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Too funny, mau! Let's hope this actually matters and the bills both die quickly.
Denise Konkol
11:18 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I can't imagine this is going to go very far. A bit like 'new Coke' where someone thought it was a good idea but when it saw the light of day, it died a quick death.
Lyle Ruble
2:22 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
There are already laws on the books to prevent copyright infringement. This is clearly going too far and should die a quick death.
rudi wendt
1:20 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
James R Hoffa,very interesting.I'm sure there are some tired of hearing from me,but this is exactly what is happening with me concerning WE energies and all the traffic noise.