I won’t be long here. Surely a lot of you have noticed that the English site of Wikipedia was “blacked out” today. That’s not a goof. They are in protest of two bills that threaten everyone’s basic internet freedoms. They are called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA).
You may not realize this, but if these two bills were to be signed into law, it could mean major repercussions for websites based in the US, including our beloved Crawlspace. How’s that, you ask? Because more than stop piracy or protect IPs, these bills will make provisions for any corporation (such as Marvel or Disney) to request that a website be taken down. All it takes are “a few infringing links to block a site full of legal material, and sites become more liable for user-posted content.” A website operator could have its web traffic, ad-revenue, and search traffic all blocked in 24 hours.
If the bills pass, the US will be using the same censorship method used by China, Iran, and Syria, and it will set the precedent for Internet Laws around the globe.
There is a lot of lobbying for SOPA and PIPA, especially from the Motion Picture Association of America. The Entertainment Software Association (responsible for the Entertainment Electronic Expo, or E3) is one of its biggest supporters.
People’s prosperity, online security, and freedom of expression are in jeopardy. I ask you, fellow American Crawlspacers, to sign the petitions available online (this one in particular asks the ESA to remove its support: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-esa-petition-and-boycott-e3). Everyone should go to americancensoship.org for more information, especially on how to contact your local Congressman. Let them know that the American people do not agree with SOPA and PIPA.
(If someone could embed this video, I’d appreciate it) http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/
~My Two Cents
NOTE: It should be understood that the Crawlspace is not condoning piracy. I personally believe a compromise can be reached for a more reasonable law. However, as they are currently written, SOPA and PIPA will do far more harm than good to honest people.
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@Ray #8: Well said. Here, have a cookie good sir 😀 *hands over cookie*
And on-topic: Aren´t these laws against the first amendment too? I think I heard that somewhere, but I´m not sure, since I´m not from the US(living in Sweden).
Shows the power of lobbyists. You have money, you have a voice. Simple as that.
I don’t understand the US governement on this one. Isn’t there more important issues to debate right now, like the debt, the sluggish economy, the healthcare and education system, taxes for the riches and compagnies… Heck, even if you want to do something on the internet, why not trying to put harder laws about child pornography or violent content? Or bring some legislation to Facebook and Twitter, who basicly sell personal data collected on their users pages to compagnies? Beside, most website that endorse piracy are hosted in foreign country. This bill wouldn’t even touch them…
@Brian – we thought the same thing about the Patriot Act and we still have grandmothers being accosted at airports and warrantless phone taps happening. To quote V: “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.” and Thoreau “That government is best which governs least.”
I was taught years ago that “locks only keep out honest people,” do you really think pirates will not find away around measures set forth in SOPA and PIPA?
@3: They will still find their way around it, it’s a law not a PC program
@5: Losing this community will be a pain, I hope those law never get applied
This may be foolish of me, but I like to have faith that common sense will prevail. I don’t think these will pass to the extent that it will cripple the internet. I think sites like Wikipedia taking a stand today are going to help people realize the importance of it, and we may see some sort of moderation in the future, but it won’t be as out of control as we fear. I don’t think trying to stop the piracy is bad, but it’ll take another couple rounds before they get this right.
@Abdul – Even if the Crawlspace itself remains unaffected, it’s in the best interest for everyone who uses the Internet that these bills don’t pass because it gives ANY corporation the power to shut down ANY website they THINK is engaged in copyright infringement.
Sorry for my comment above. Maybe I’m not clear on what these bills are, or I just didn’t read the post right.
I just bet hackers would hate for these bills to pass.
Why should this site turn shut by Marvel when officials from them come here for interviews willingly and enjoying reviews and interviews?
How long before we find out if these bills are passed?