Stop Online Piracy Act
January 15, 2012 - 2:42pm
The internet is in danger.
Sounds like hyperbole, doesn't it? If you think so you haven't been keeping up on two bills currently moving through the American Senate and House: Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House and Protect Intellectual Property (PIPA) in the Senate.
Should either or both of these bills pass, the underlying infrastructure of the internet would be irrevocably harmed and America would join countries such as Iran and China in censoring what you can see/hear internet wide. These bills are being referred to as an "Internet Blacklist."
Sites such as Reddit, Youtube, and this very website would not be able to operate under the new laws. If this is so horrible a threat, why haven't you heard of it? The mainstream media isn't reporting on these threats to our freedoms because their parent corporations have contributed language to the bills themselves. Here is an ownership chart that illustrates this point.
The bills would make websites liable for content posted by their users. A corporation could simply allege copyright infringement, and without any due process that website would face the choice of removing the content without any warning or its operators and users could face potential jail time. Furthermore, without even the need to prove infringement, your DNS listing would be removed, making your website literally cease to exist for anyone who doesn't have the IP address memorized.
Picture this very real scenario:
One of our users, let's say Ant for example, posts a link to a video of his favorite song to share with his friends here. The record company discovers this unauthorized link and claims copyright infringement. Pax gets a notice to remove the offending link but has no idea what's going on. Suddenly AdversitySG.org is simply...gone. No warning, no alerts, it's just gone as if it never existed. Both Pax and Ant receive court summonses because by the terms of the law, infringement has definitely occurred. If Pax and/or Ant are unable to defend themselves in court either or both of them could face up to 5 years in jail. Under the terms of these flawed bills this could happen.
If you use the internet or you care about your constitutional rights, you must get yourself informed and take action before January 18th. That is when the senate will vote on the bill.
Don't believe me? Sounds crazy? Didn't bother reading this? I beg you to check out some helpful links below to see for yourself.
Oh, and our friends who are not American? You guys should be even more worried. there is specific language in these bills designed to make it easier to take down foreign websites.
Wikipedia on Sopa
PC Gamer reports on several websites "going dark" in protest, including Twitter, and several Google sites.
Stop American Censorship is a site with lots of resources to protect yourselves, including links to form letters you can write to your representatives to instruct them to vote no, all with a single click.
The folks who essentially created the internet as we view it today think the bills are dangerous. You can read an open letter opposing SOPA/PIPA written by the co-founders of Google, Youtube, Twitter, Ebay and other web entrepreneurs HERE.
The Electronic Software Association fully endorses this bill, but its member companies largely do not. See on which side the members of the Entertainment Software Associate stand by visiting this page.
Some "good news" is that the outcry of people like us is having an effect on this nightmare. The White House has recently abandoned it. One Congressman is using the game League of Legends to warn people. Still many of our representatives are still supporting it.
Please don't take my word for it. Take 30 minutes and Google SOPA/PIPA. I strongly suggest you contact your Senators and Representatives to ask them to do the right thing. If you can't be bothered to take action today you might not have the option tomorrow.
Sounds like hyperbole, doesn't it? If you think so you haven't been keeping up on two bills currently moving through the American Senate and House: Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House and Protect Intellectual Property (PIPA) in the Senate.
Should either or both of these bills pass, the underlying infrastructure of the internet would be irrevocably harmed and America would join countries such as Iran and China in censoring what you can see/hear internet wide. These bills are being referred to as an "Internet Blacklist."
Sites such as Reddit, Youtube, and this very website would not be able to operate under the new laws. If this is so horrible a threat, why haven't you heard of it? The mainstream media isn't reporting on these threats to our freedoms because their parent corporations have contributed language to the bills themselves. Here is an ownership chart that illustrates this point.
The bills would make websites liable for content posted by their users. A corporation could simply allege copyright infringement, and without any due process that website would face the choice of removing the content without any warning or its operators and users could face potential jail time. Furthermore, without even the need to prove infringement, your DNS listing would be removed, making your website literally cease to exist for anyone who doesn't have the IP address memorized.
Picture this very real scenario:
One of our users, let's say Ant for example, posts a link to a video of his favorite song to share with his friends here. The record company discovers this unauthorized link and claims copyright infringement. Pax gets a notice to remove the offending link but has no idea what's going on. Suddenly AdversitySG.org is simply...gone. No warning, no alerts, it's just gone as if it never existed. Both Pax and Ant receive court summonses because by the terms of the law, infringement has definitely occurred. If Pax and/or Ant are unable to defend themselves in court either or both of them could face up to 5 years in jail. Under the terms of these flawed bills this could happen.
If you use the internet or you care about your constitutional rights, you must get yourself informed and take action before January 18th. That is when the senate will vote on the bill.
Don't believe me? Sounds crazy? Didn't bother reading this? I beg you to check out some helpful links below to see for yourself.
Oh, and our friends who are not American? You guys should be even more worried. there is specific language in these bills designed to make it easier to take down foreign websites.
Wikipedia on Sopa
PC Gamer reports on several websites "going dark" in protest, including Twitter, and several Google sites.
Stop American Censorship is a site with lots of resources to protect yourselves, including links to form letters you can write to your representatives to instruct them to vote no, all with a single click.
The folks who essentially created the internet as we view it today think the bills are dangerous. You can read an open letter opposing SOPA/PIPA written by the co-founders of Google, Youtube, Twitter, Ebay and other web entrepreneurs HERE.
The Electronic Software Association fully endorses this bill, but its member companies largely do not. See on which side the members of the Entertainment Software Associate stand by visiting this page.
Some "good news" is that the outcry of people like us is having an effect on this nightmare. The White House has recently abandoned it. One Congressman is using the game League of Legends to warn people. Still many of our representatives are still supporting it.
Please don't take my word for it. Take 30 minutes and Google SOPA/PIPA. I strongly suggest you contact your Senators and Representatives to ask them to do the right thing. If you can't be bothered to take action today you might not have the option tomorrow.
January 15, 2012 - 4:27pm
#1
So what happens if a Canadian (who has a very different bill in parliament right now) posts a non-copyright video of an amputee doing things to a chicken that are banned in all states except Idaho? And, yes; SOPA is nasty!
January 15, 2012 - 6:46pm
#3
...So you know exactly how pervasive influence -for- this bill is, this is a list of the companies I am trying to passively boycott (not give them any of my money), that support SOPA, PIPA, or both.:
- ABC
- adidas America
- Autodesk, Inc. (AutoCAD)
- Bose Coporation
- CBS
- Comcast
- Electronic Software Association
- Ford Motor Company
- Johnson & Johnson
- Marvel Entertainment, LLC
- Mastercard Worldwide
- The McGraw-Hill Companies (textbooks may be interesting next semester)
- MPAA
- NBC
- Pearson, Inc. (Another textbook company)
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Reebok International Ltd.
- RIAA
- Scholastic, Inc.
- Screen Actors Guild
- SoBe Entertainment
- Sony Music/Pictures
- Timberland (guess I need to go elsewhere for my shoes)
- Time Warner, Inc.
- Universal Music Group
- Viacom (No more Daily Show/Colbert Report)
- Wal-Mart
- The Walt Disney Company
- Warner Music Group
- Visa Inc. (Need to start making time to make trips to the bank for cash withdrawals)
- Xerox Corporation
EDIT: There are tons more listed in the marq's post. This atrocity needs to die. >_<
- ABC
- adidas America
- Autodesk, Inc. (AutoCAD)
- Bose Coporation
- CBS
- Comcast
- Electronic Software Association
- Ford Motor Company
- Johnson & Johnson
- Marvel Entertainment, LLC
- Mastercard Worldwide
- The McGraw-Hill Companies (textbooks may be interesting next semester)
- MPAA
- NBC
- Pearson, Inc. (Another textbook company)
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Reebok International Ltd.
- RIAA
- Scholastic, Inc.
- Screen Actors Guild
- SoBe Entertainment
- Sony Music/Pictures
- Timberland (guess I need to go elsewhere for my shoes)
- Time Warner, Inc.
- Universal Music Group
- Viacom (No more Daily Show/Colbert Report)
- Wal-Mart
- The Walt Disney Company
- Warner Music Group
- Visa Inc. (Need to start making time to make trips to the bank for cash withdrawals)
- Xerox Corporation
EDIT: There are tons more listed in the marq's post. This atrocity needs to die. >_<
January 16, 2012 - 5:41am
#4
If you don't know who to contact in your area, then I submit the following site (as I discovered on another gaming site that is doing the same thing as Marq is here).
https://action.eff.org/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8173
Plug in your zip code and your reps come up along with a letter you can send.
https://action.eff.org/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8173
Plug in your zip code and your reps come up along with a letter you can send.
January 16, 2012 - 8:47am
#5
SOPA is an intensely real threat. It threatens everything little communities like ours have enjoyed for nearly 8 years now. There's nothing about it that helps anyone who ever wants to use the Internet for joyful, fun, and meaningful activity. SOPA threatens everything from online gaming communities to education. That's right, online education and similar programs face a credible threat from SOPA, and that's something incredibly important to both myself and SB as educators, and for the future of our nation as more and more people turn to online education to improve their jobs skills and quality of life.
Check out a few of these resources as well to learn about who's sites are going dark, and what you can do to help:
About the SOPA Blackout:
http://sopablackout.org/learnmore/
Websites/Communities that are Striking:
http://sopastrike.com/
An great Google Plus Page filled with information about what SOPA affects:
https://plus.google.com/115040231829422107651/posts
Check out a few of these resources as well to learn about who's sites are going dark, and what you can do to help:
About the SOPA Blackout:
http://sopablackout.org/learnmore/
Websites/Communities that are Striking:
http://sopastrike.com/
An great Google Plus Page filled with information about what SOPA affects:
https://plus.google.com/115040231829422107651/posts
__________________
January 16, 2012 - 8:51am
#6
Thanks Cole and Razor.
Some good-ish news:
In the face of opposition from the White House voting on SOPA has been delayed.
But we're not safe yet. SOPA will absolutely make a comeback soon in an altered form. Support from the Entertainment Software Association, and from the many companies that Cole highlighted above, virtually guarantees it.
What else can you do? Cole had a great idea: boycott the companies supporting the bill. Let's look at a list of ESA members who do support it. I personally won't be buying anymore software from those companies and I urge you to do the same.
Some good-ish news:
In the face of opposition from the White House voting on SOPA has been delayed.
"While I remain concerned about Senate action on the Protect IP Act, I am confident that flawed legislation will not be taken up by this House. Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus prior to any anti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote."
But we're not safe yet. SOPA will absolutely make a comeback soon in an altered form. Support from the Entertainment Software Association, and from the many companies that Cole highlighted above, virtually guarantees it.
Right now, the focus of protecting the Internet needs to be on the Senate where Majority Leader Reid has announced his intention to try to move similar legislation in less than two weeks.
Each of us needs to contact our Senators and tell them that this bill needs to be killed. Razor posted a nice link to do that. Here's another one. Just click that link, and scroll down for easy, automated actions we can all take in just seconds.What else can you do? Cole had a great idea: boycott the companies supporting the bill. Let's look at a list of ESA members who do support it. I personally won't be buying anymore software from those companies and I urge you to do the same.
January 16, 2012 - 9:14am
#7
Bungie, developers of the Halo series, have issued a statement:
They link to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. I'll link to them too. Here's their website. Who are they? From their "about us" page:
At Bungie we tend to keep our collective nose out of state affairs. We can’t even come to a consensus on which bus line to take into Bellevue in the morning, let alone arrive at any unified conclusions regarding our equally congested political roadways. But we all agree that SOPA sucks. And we’re not alone.
In a clumsy effort to curtail online piracy, this messy piece of legislation will, if passed, negatively impact both the games we make and the people who play them. If that sounds like very bad news to you (and it should), we encourage you to take a few moments to learn more about SOPA by reading the bill itself, by visiting the Electronic Frontier Foundation for more information, and by contacting your representatives in United States Congress and the Senate to make your voice heard.
Bungie is opposed to any legislation that curtails free speech, stifles innovation, and prevents the open sharing of information on the Internet. SOPA fits that bill. If it passes, it will hurt our community, the gaming community at large, and it could very well cripple the kind of games we love to create and play.
Just like online piracy, that would be downright criminal.
In a clumsy effort to curtail online piracy, this messy piece of legislation will, if passed, negatively impact both the games we make and the people who play them. If that sounds like very bad news to you (and it should), we encourage you to take a few moments to learn more about SOPA by reading the bill itself, by visiting the Electronic Frontier Foundation for more information, and by contacting your representatives in United States Congress and the Senate to make your voice heard.
Bungie is opposed to any legislation that curtails free speech, stifles innovation, and prevents the open sharing of information on the Internet. SOPA fits that bill. If it passes, it will hurt our community, the gaming community at large, and it could very well cripple the kind of games we love to create and play.
Just like online piracy, that would be downright criminal.
They link to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. I'll link to them too. Here's their website. Who are they? From their "about us" page:
From the Internet to the iPod, technologies are transforming our society and empowering us as speakers, citizens, creators, and consumers. When our freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense. EFF broke new ground when it was founded in 1990 — well before the Internet was on most people's radar — and continues to confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today. From the beginning, EFF has championed the public interest in every critical battle affecting digital rights.
.
January 16, 2012 - 9:43am
#8
I looked through the information here and realized that Perfect World Entertainment, the current owner of Star Trek Online, is, at least technically, supporting SOPA through the ESA.
Though voting on the legislation has been postponed, Jan 18th is still a symbolic date when many web sites will be 'going dark' in protest of SOPA/PIPA. I felt it was inappropriate to hold a STO even on the 18th. I appologize to those who had signed up and to those who were looking forward to playing STO when it goes free to play.
I have already given them my money, so I will continue to play, but I will not be playing Perfect World games on the 18th.
Thanks for understanding.
Though voting on the legislation has been postponed, Jan 18th is still a symbolic date when many web sites will be 'going dark' in protest of SOPA/PIPA. I felt it was inappropriate to hold a STO even on the 18th. I appologize to those who had signed up and to those who were looking forward to playing STO when it goes free to play.
I have already given them my money, so I will continue to play, but I will not be playing Perfect World games on the 18th.
Thanks for understanding.
January 16, 2012 - 10:39am
#9
More accurately, PWE is one of those who are not commenting, but with the ESA representing them.
The ESA's pro-SOPA stance should be enough for PWE and any other represented company (such as Capcon) to make statements of their own, IMO.
I'm not swearing off PWE's games, but I won't be posting events this week for sure.
The ESA's pro-SOPA stance should be enough for PWE and any other represented company (such as Capcon) to make statements of their own, IMO.
I'm not swearing off PWE's games, but I won't be posting events this week for sure.
January 16, 2012 - 12:53pm
#10
Obama Administration's Position:
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition-tool/response/combating-online-piracy-while-protecting-open-and-innovative-internet
"While we believe that online piracy by foreign websites is a serious problem that requires a serious legislative response, we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet."
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition-tool/response/combating-online-piracy-while-protecting-open-and-innovative-internet
"While we believe that online piracy by foreign websites is a serious problem that requires a serious legislative response, we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet."
January 17, 2012 - 3:17pm
#11
And now it appears Google will be taking part in this battle:
Google will protest SOPA using popular home page:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57360223-261/google-will-protest-sopa-using-popular-home-page/
While part of me wishes they too would take part in the blackout - I know it'd be a hellish day for me at the office without that indispensable tool in my arsenal
Google will protest SOPA using popular home page:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57360223-261/google-will-protest-sopa-using-popular-home-page/
While part of me wishes they too would take part in the blackout - I know it'd be a hellish day for me at the office without that indispensable tool in my arsenal
__________________
January 19, 2012 - 9:47am
#12
So... How'd it go? Pretty damn well, I'd say.
Facing literally millions of opponents, Senators jumped this sinking ship like the rats they are. Notably, this includes several of the bills sponsors! More than 15 Senators (and counting) were motivated to withdraw support.
Senator Roy Blunt, cosponsor, says "While I believed the bill still needed much work, I cosponsored the Senate version of the Protect IP Act because I support the original intent of this bill – to protect against the piracy of lawful content. Upon passage of this bill through committee, Senate Judiciary Republicans strongly stated that there were substantive issues in this legislation that had to be addressed before it moved forward. I agree with that sentiment."
Senator Orin Hatch, another cosponsor, chose Twitter to announce he is withdrawing his support and cosponsorship. "That’s why I will not only vote against moving the bill forward next week but also remove my cosponsorship of the bill."
Nice job, Floridians! Senator Marco Rubio, another cosponsor, hits the road too. "Therefore, I have decided to withdraw my support for the Protect IP Act. Furthermore, I encourage Senator Reid to abandon his plan to rush the bill to the floor. Instead, we should take more time to address the concerns raised by all sides, and come up with new legislation that addresses Internet piracy while protecting free and open access to the Internet."
Senator John Boozeman, yet another cosponsor, removed his cosponsorship. I can't believe I'm typing this sentence but "yay Arkansas!" "I will have my name removed as a co-sponsor of the bill and plan to vote against it if Majority Leader Reid brings it to the floor in its current form.
Some of our Representatives even blacked out their own sites to join the protest.
If the bills pass SOPA's "author," Texan Lamar Smith, could get 5 years in prison for the copyright violation on his own website. What an idiot.
Of course we know who the real authors are. Our Senators/Congressman are merely being fooled by an industry they barely understand.
Google says more than 4 million of us got off our asses and took action. When was the last time 4 million Americans agreed on anything?
What about the international community? What does SOPA/PIPA mean to you? Amazingly, TIGA (who are the UK equivalent of one of the the bill's sponsors: the ESA) have come out against the bills. Maybe we should've remained colonists?
Speaking of the ESA more of its members are contradicting the group that supposedly represents them. Microsoft finally ended their silence by coming out against the bill.
So this whole threatening to break the internet thing sure has gotten the world riled up. Red 5 Studios CEO Mark Kern has created a rival to stand against the ESA, the League For Gamers. Freedom's just another word for "fuck you."
More news is pouring from all sides, and much of it is encouraging. We still haven't won, though. The big media companies are pushing hard for legislation. These bills aren't dead, they will certain reappear in an altered form when big media thinks the internet isn't looking. There are three super-important things Americans can do now that don't involve leaving your chair:
Sign the petition warning candidates that you will only support other candidates that oppose these bills. Visit Vote For The Net. Threatening their re-election during a campaign year is the most effective counter to the millions being paid by lobbyists and special interest groups.
Instruct our Senators to Postpone the PIPA vote currently scheduled for January 24th.
And finally, ask President Obama to veto these bills in the event the Senate/House crumbles in the face of truckloads of cash.
Facing literally millions of opponents, Senators jumped this sinking ship like the rats they are. Notably, this includes several of the bills sponsors! More than 15 Senators (and counting) were motivated to withdraw support.
Senator Roy Blunt, cosponsor, says "While I believed the bill still needed much work, I cosponsored the Senate version of the Protect IP Act because I support the original intent of this bill – to protect against the piracy of lawful content. Upon passage of this bill through committee, Senate Judiciary Republicans strongly stated that there were substantive issues in this legislation that had to be addressed before it moved forward. I agree with that sentiment."
Senator Orin Hatch, another cosponsor, chose Twitter to announce he is withdrawing his support and cosponsorship. "That’s why I will not only vote against moving the bill forward next week but also remove my cosponsorship of the bill."
Nice job, Floridians! Senator Marco Rubio, another cosponsor, hits the road too. "Therefore, I have decided to withdraw my support for the Protect IP Act. Furthermore, I encourage Senator Reid to abandon his plan to rush the bill to the floor. Instead, we should take more time to address the concerns raised by all sides, and come up with new legislation that addresses Internet piracy while protecting free and open access to the Internet."
Senator John Boozeman, yet another cosponsor, removed his cosponsorship. I can't believe I'm typing this sentence but "yay Arkansas!" "I will have my name removed as a co-sponsor of the bill and plan to vote against it if Majority Leader Reid brings it to the floor in its current form.
Some of our Representatives even blacked out their own sites to join the protest.
If the bills pass SOPA's "author," Texan Lamar Smith, could get 5 years in prison for the copyright violation on his own website. What an idiot.
Of course we know who the real authors are. Our Senators/Congressman are merely being fooled by an industry they barely understand.
Google says more than 4 million of us got off our asses and took action. When was the last time 4 million Americans agreed on anything?
What about the international community? What does SOPA/PIPA mean to you? Amazingly, TIGA (who are the UK equivalent of one of the the bill's sponsors: the ESA) have come out against the bills. Maybe we should've remained colonists?
Speaking of the ESA more of its members are contradicting the group that supposedly represents them. Microsoft finally ended their silence by coming out against the bill.
So this whole threatening to break the internet thing sure has gotten the world riled up. Red 5 Studios CEO Mark Kern has created a rival to stand against the ESA, the League For Gamers. Freedom's just another word for "fuck you."
More news is pouring from all sides, and much of it is encouraging. We still haven't won, though. The big media companies are pushing hard for legislation. These bills aren't dead, they will certain reappear in an altered form when big media thinks the internet isn't looking. There are three super-important things Americans can do now that don't involve leaving your chair:
Sign the petition warning candidates that you will only support other candidates that oppose these bills. Visit Vote For The Net. Threatening their re-election during a campaign year is the most effective counter to the millions being paid by lobbyists and special interest groups.
Instruct our Senators to Postpone the PIPA vote currently scheduled for January 24th.
And finally, ask President Obama to veto these bills in the event the Senate/House crumbles in the face of truckloads of cash.
January 19, 2012 - 12:42pm
#13
I'm not sure if anyone is still paying attention, but...
CLICK HERE to sign a petition to demand that the ESA remove their support from SOPA/PIPA bills, or you will boycott E3 and E3 news sources. We have a lot of momentum going, let's use it to make some change for the better.
CLICK HERE to sign a petition to demand that the ESA remove their support from SOPA/PIPA bills, or you will boycott E3 and E3 news sources. We have a lot of momentum going, let's use it to make some change for the better.
January 19, 2012 - 12:59pm
#14
This is extremely interesting. HERE is a site that lists how much money our representative have received from pro- or anti- SOPA/PIPA groups.
For example, in Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick received $369,545 from pro-SOPA groups, and $19,850 from anti-SOPA groups. GO check out who is paying for your representatives votes.
For example, in Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick received $369,545 from pro-SOPA groups, and $19,850 from anti-SOPA groups. GO check out who is paying for your representatives votes.
January 19, 2012 - 1:32pm
#15
That is awesome news. While SOPA/PIPA are still not dead, the blackout definitely brought awareness to America.
January 19, 2012 - 1:44pm
#16
I think it's hilarious that our 'Stop SOPA' Gandalf would probably be pulled under SOPA.
January 19, 2012 - 2:31pm
#17
I think it's hilarious that our 'Stop SOPA' Gandalf would probably be pulled under SOPA.
It absolutely would. This site would be in serious trouble. Our Neverending Video threads would see almost all of our regular users charged. There are many dozen threads featuring screenshots from games we play, all featuring stuff we would have no legal right to talk about. Sam's (and others) reviews all refer to trademarked products. One of the most egregious areas of the site would be our COH character archive. Every mention of "Paragon City" or any of the groups, AVs, locations featured in the game are all violations of copyright as defined by SOPA/PIPA.
And since the bills allow complainants to force the delisting of sites based on unverified complaints our site would disappear from all searches, as if we never existing, even before we knew there was a complaint, and before we could defend ourselves. The complaints wouldn't even need to come from the copyright holders themselves.
January 19, 2012 - 4:42pm
#18
Here is a question, say Bob Loser comes up with a brilliant idea to create yet another Wolverine clone in COH, how would that affect City of Heroes under SOPA? Would it allow them to shut down the whole game? Or just cause an account delete. Remeber back when Marvel sued because of 'copy right' violations? That would have killed the game imediatly woulnd't it?
January 19, 2012 - 4:49pm
#19
SOPA/PIPA aren't even laws yet, but that won't stop the copyright police.
January 20, 2012 - 2:48pm
#20
The hits keep coming!
The PIPA vote has been delayed! Let me share one of my favorite headlines from the last week: SOPA and PIPA Delayed Indefinitely, internet wins.
Lamar Smith, PIPA's "author" has issued a statement, rife with "facts" that have already been discredited.
The only thing missing from his statement is for Sen. Smith to run from the room yelling "I hate you! I'm sorry I was born!" and slamming the door to his bedroom as half the American people try to coax him out, and the other half telling the first half to just let him have a good cry, honey, he'll come round.
The PIPA vote has been delayed! Let me share one of my favorite headlines from the last week: SOPA and PIPA Delayed Indefinitely, internet wins.
Lamar Smith, PIPA's "author" has issued a statement, rife with "facts" that have already been discredited.
The only thing missing from his statement is for Sen. Smith to run from the room yelling "I hate you! I'm sorry I was born!" and slamming the door to his bedroom as half the American people try to coax him out, and the other half telling the first half to just let him have a good cry, honey, he'll come round.
January 21, 2012 - 3:27pm
#21
Incredibly, the ESA has dropped support for the bills they helped author.
January 21, 2012 - 4:28pm
#22
Yay! Star Trek Online is back on the table (and free to play)!
January 22, 2012 - 10:26pm
#23
January 23, 2012 - 6:34am
#24
I must say, taking fat-neck politicians used to bullying their way in out of their skin is one of the more satisfying things in life. Thanks for posting that
January 29, 2012 - 2:16pm
#25
Infographic: Hollywood's Long War Against Technology
MPAA's second in command admits the industry is "not comfortable" with the internet.
ACTA Copyright Treaty sparks protests.
Twitter, partnering with Chillingeffects.org, publishes a year's worth of DMCA takedown notices (all 4,410 of them)
MPAA's second in command admits the industry is "not comfortable" with the internet.
ACTA Copyright Treaty sparks protests.
Twitter, partnering with Chillingeffects.org, publishes a year's worth of DMCA takedown notices (all 4,410 of them)
February 2, 2012 - 11:07pm
#26
Latest update: The ESA spent $1,000,000 lobbying for SOPA/PIPA in 3 months. Source
February 11, 2012 - 10:11am
#28
__________________
February 14, 2012 - 6:38am
#29
Interesting article on copyright for artists (not just photographers ) at Stuck in Customs.
He talks about Pinterest, which I'd not heard of, but I'm more interested in his general views on sharing.
He talks about Pinterest, which I'd not heard of, but I'm more interested in his general views on sharing.
February 14, 2012 - 4:04pm
#30
Ironic that you just posted this today considering the Online Surveillance Bill just got proposed: (btw- worst justification ever)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/02/13/technology-lawful-access-toews-pornographers.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/02/13/technology-lawful-access-toews-pornographers.html