Discussion: Online Piracy, Net Neutrality, Killswitch, and Other Internet Issues

[TheDragonator]

this is going to go through, its being pushed to hard by big name backers and fasttracked so the main public 't notice it.

And has some massive opposition to it, like freaking Google, for example.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

And has some massive opposition to it, like freaking Google, for example.

while true, i still think a lot of big entertainment companys pushing this through will have more pull with the politicians

 

[Slushy]

I thought the RIAA was having fun suing everybody over the years?

 

[TheDragonator]

Even if it does get passed, it would still violate the Constitution, and will likely get repealed.

 

[TheDragonator]

Apparently, Senator Wyden's holding a petition to stop the bill, and will read the names aloud of every person who signs it. It's already got 50,000 names on it.

I'm proud to be one of them.

http://stopcensorship.org/

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

Last week, a consortium consisting of Adobe, Apple, Dell, and Microsoft — to name a few of the well known members — offered their support of SOPA, under the guise of the Business Software Alliance (BSA). After companies like Google and Mozilla had spoken out against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), it was surprising to see companies like Apple and Microsoft side with the government on this particular subject.

There are 29 members of the BSA, most of which are well known among those who follow the tech industry. Aside from the four indicated above, other companies include Intel, Symantec, McAfee, and Corel. However, he reason Apple and Microsoft are the focus is because they are two of the most well known companies in the world, and their initial support of SOPA was all the more dumbfounding. Apparently, however, the backlash against this support has caused the BSA to reconsider its position in relation to SOPA, which led to the following blog post, featuring the following title:

“SOPA Needs Work to Address Innovation Considerations”

Essentially, the BSA backtracked, saying the Alliance supports the elimination of piracy, but that SOPA needs to be refined. The post in question was written by BSA President & CEO, Robert Holleyman. In it, Holleyman offers the adjusted position of the BSA:

The idea behind SOPA, as Chairman Smith explained at last week’s hearing, is to remove pirates’ ability to profit from their theft. We think that is the right approach as long as it is done with a fine touch.

Valid and important questions have been raised about the bill. It is intended to get at the worst of the worst offenders. As it now stands, however, it could sweep in more than just truly egregious actors. To fix this problem, definitions of who can be the subject of legal actions and what remedies are imposed must be tightened and narrowed. Due process, free speech, and privacy are rights cannot be compromised.

Which is exactly the position many who oppose SOPA. It’s not that they are asking for permission to pirate. Instead, policing these actions does not need to be done with sacrificing the freedoms Holleyman discussed. Too bad the entertainment industry is too blinded by their pursuit of the bottom line to see how much the bill, largely influenced by these entities, attacks the ideas of privacy and due process.

As long as that teenage girl down the street gets busted for downloading the new Twilight movie, all’s well. Unfortunately, SOPA doesn’t even work that way. Instead of going after the Twilight downloader, the bill goes after the site that hosted the torrent that facilitated the download.

The BSA post winds itself up with the following:

BSA has long stood against filtering or monitoring the Internet. All of these concerns should be duly considered and addressed.

My question is, did the BSA not know SOPA included such stipulations when they offered their support? Better late than never, I guess.

http://www.webpronews.com/tech-giants-back-off-of-sopa-support-2011-11

 

[hippie_hunter]

It's no surprise at all that Microsoft supports SOPA.

 

[Destructus86]

What's wrong with SOPA?

 

[enterthemadness]

What's wrong with SOPA?

Gives Washington & Hollywood way WAY too much power...

 

[TheDragonator]

What's wrong with SOPA?

Basically, it can allow copyright owners to enforce any copyright they can by making the sites responsible.

For example, this website is basically full of copyright infringements. Leaked info, set pics etc. Review sites that don't have permission of the owners (i.e, TGWTG, etc) are basically screwed.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Things like this inevitably happen when you let the elderly legislate technology they barely understand.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I hope these idiots that vote on it loses their jobs when their time comes

The founders would've tried them for treason. I'm certain of it.

No one who lived under a tyrannical british rule would allow their country to become a police state.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

so any word on this

 

[bell110]

First of, BlackLantern got banned?

Second off: "The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing tomorrow on the Stop Online Piracy Act, a measure that would give the U.S. attorney general and copyright holders new powers to cut off financial support to “rogue websites” accused of trafficking in goods spanning knockoff watches to fake pharmaceuticals to pirated movies."

What are these new powers? How are they going to cut off financial support? How are they going to define "rogue websites"? Knockoff watches, seriously?

 

[Destructus86]

hmm...it still doesn't sound that bad to me. Doesn't it just give them the power to shut down sites that spread illegal films, games, etc...? Isn't a "rogue website" just a site that distributes things illegally?

Not trying to start an arguement...just don't see the downside to this.

 

[Thundercrack85]

hmm...it still doesn't sound that bad to me. Doesn't it just give them the power to shut down sites that spread illegal films, games, etc...? Isn't a "rogue website" just a site that distributes things illegally?

Not trying to start an arguement...just don't see the downside to this.

Really? Did you read the law? Chinese level censorship? Giving corporations a stranglehold on the internet? Companies and the government can shut down any website without notice? It's an internet killer.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

hmm...it still doesn't sound that bad to me. Doesn't it just give them the power to shut down sites that spread illegal films, games, etc...? Isn't a "rogue website" just a site that distributes things illegally?

Not trying to start an arguement...just don't see the downside to this.

no not at all, you make a site that reviews a film and you use clips from said film/trailer

you're not providing the film or giving a download link but this new law can have the us government shut down your site without question and actually bring you in front of a judge for copyright infringement

same with a lets play or hell even the hype providing images and news could be done

i know a lot of people from thatguywiththeglasses.com have actually went to Washington and had meetings with a lot of senators to state the case of why this could basically kill the net

 

[Donut]

SOPA could get passed this week it seems

 

[enterthemadness]

Didn't Obama say he would veto it?

 

[Donut]

This Thursday the bill moves out of committee from what I am reading & then it can be passed at any time. So he would have to veto it asap. Obama has a habit of saying he will do something & not do it though

 

[WalkingDeadMike]

This shiz better not pass.

 

[enterthemadness]

This Thursday the bill moves out of committee from what I am reading & then it can be passed at any time. So he would have to veto it asap. Obama has a habit of saying he will do something & not do it though

If Obama allows this to pass and does not veto it and we re-electe him into office a 2nd term....then FAIL.

 

[enterthemadness]

Today the day....need a miracle or hail mary.

 

[Donut]

If Obama does not veto this. Then Obama is the worst President of all time & I will be voting to get him out

 

[enterthemadness]

Live streaming...

http://keepthewebopen.com/sopa