Supporters believe the bills, if made law, would expand the ability of U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods.
Opponents, like myself, believe that they violate the First Amendment, is Internet censorship, will cripple the Internet, and threaten whistle-blowing and other free speech actions.
Here's a statement from Google - like many businesses, entrepreneurs and web users, we oppose these bills because there are smart, targeted ways to shut down foreign rogue websites without asking American companies to censor the Internet
I encourage you to form your own opinion. If you do agree with Google, Wikipedia and thousands of other companies, tech activists, entrepreneurs and myself - contact your congressman to tell them you're against the bills, either by calling their office, writing a letter, or sending a prepared message through http://americancensorship.org/
Gordon, et al,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that SOPA and PIPA are monuments to both the betrayal of American and global human liberties and technologically stupid.
On top of that, your admonition that each of us should think for ourselves, make up our own minds is superbly to the point. Learn and think about this stuff, folks! It is vitally important if you care about liberty. It's okay to disagree with me. I like to argue.
But what will happen if you argue with the government or a big corporation and consequently have your business, access to phone and Internet taken away??
S
Both of these need to get killed. If they do, there will be similar bills. I have the same concerns as you Steve.
ReplyDeleteIt is not true and not good to catch some criminals by offending and sacrificing the liberty and affairs of so many non-guilty people around the world. Furthermore, it is unethical and illegal to create a national law to put foundation for and justify such act. It is unethical to create a national law based upon the will of SOME corporations and for the sakes of SOME corporations. If a law must be created, it must be created based upon THE REAL MAJOR PUBLIC WILL and for THE REAL WHOLE PUBLIC SAKE.
ReplyDeleteNoteworthy, The Internet is not only the container of by-law-protected products, but also IS:
1. The universal medium of the unlimited flow of thoughts from humans all over the world
2. The universal place of unlimited thought-exchange and thought-sharing among humanity
3. The universal channel of unlimited talk among humans all over the world
4. The universal channel and virtual place of unlimited human encounter and human traffic
Therefore, SOPA and PIPA absolutely can not be applied. SOPA and PIPA are a form of Egoistic-Will Enforcement.
Moreover, products of companies have been protected by the existing laws of intellectual property. What is to do is just Law Enforcement based upon the existing laws.