SOPA and PIPA Blackouts

[Tigerslayer]

What are the Americans doing and why is it messing with my internets?!?!?

[nakatago]

Because corrupt US congresscritters who don't understand how the internet works are bowing down to Big Media who want to block websites wherever they are in the world they think are infringing without due process.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news ... -worse.ars

Blacked-out websites are making people realize what SOPA/PIPA can do and that it has repercussions outside of the US. Those that are not blacked out are posting information about SOPA/PIPA to raise awareness that it won't be just the US's problem.

[Mi Amigo]

Indeed. It's a totally inept attempt to address a real issue, and would do nothing to solve the root cause of the problem. The big media players are trying to preserve their cozy, outdated 20th century model and don't care about the huge collateral damage that would result from this ludicrous legislation.

Someone once said that the US has the best Congress money can buy, which I think sums up the situation quite succinctly.

Here's the Stanford Law Review's take on this:

http://www.stanfordlawreview.org/online ... k-internet

[facibus]

Indeed. It's a totally inept attempt to address a real issue, and would do nothing to solve the root cause of the problem. The big media players are trying to preserve their cozy, outdated 20th century model and don't care about the huge collateral damage that would result from this ludicrous legislation.

Someone once said that the US has the best Congress money can buy, which I think sums up the situation quite succinctly.

Here's the Stanford Law Review's take on this:

http://www.stanfordlawreview.org/online ... k-internet

An excellent article and well worth the read - thank you for the link.

[crapped]

Here's a good video that illustrates the whole hoo-ha about SOPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhwuXNv8fJM

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

What are the Americans doing and why is it messing with my internets?!?!?

The Americans aren't doing anything with your internet, but choosing to do something with their own websites ~ which are free by the way. Sheesh!

And... while we're on the subject ~ How many bought-in-Malaysia/China/Indonesia DVDs do you have in you collection??

[the lynx]

What are the Americans doing and why is it messing with my internets?!?!?

The Americans aren't doing anything with your internet, but choosing to do something with their own websites ~ which are free by the way. Sheesh!

And... while we're on the subject ~ How many bought-in-Malaysia/China/Indonesia DVDs do you have in you collection??

[nakatago]

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news ... igners.ars

[nutnut]

Interesting youtube from Crapped! Thanks for that.

[Tigerslayer]

The Americans aren't doing anything with your internet, but choosing to do something with their own websites ~ which are free by the way. Sheesh!

And... while we're on the subject ~ How many bought-in-Malaysia/China/Indonesia DVDs do you have in you collection??

LOL....

I wasn't referring to the website owners I am referring to the cause of all this which are the SOPA and PIPA proposals - Which if I am not wrong are created in... America!

and in all honesty I have a grand collection of 0 bought-in-Malaysia/China/Indonesia DVDs. Thanks for asking!

[Mi Amigo]

Here's an example of the arrogant, heavy-handed behaviour that's already taking place, even without the ridiculous powers envisaged by SOPA and PIPA:

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/01/2 ... one-wrong/

Yes, record companies, etc. have every right to protect their interests, but artists should also have their rights enforced and they should not be bullied by the large media conglomerates, who are basically only interested in maximising profit by any means.

[zzm9980]

What are the Americans doing and why is it messing with my internets?!?!?

The Americans aren't doing anything with your internet, but choosing to do something with their own websites ~ which are free by the way. Sheesh!

Actually, you're completely mistaken. The law was specifically targeting foreign websites, and the controversy was due to the lack of due process and unfair burden on third party content providers.


For an example of SOPA, let's take this website. Let's just say someone in this forum linked to a copyrighted movie on a different website, or hell, even pasted in song lyrics for a song not in US Public domain. The copy-right holder could then have all revenue that goes to this site via any US based entity (Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, Ad Networks, etc) completely blocked. On top of that, if the domain name ends in .com, .net, .org, .edu, etc, basically any TLD that ISN'T country specific, the domain registration will be de-listed. The server and site will still exist, but anyone typing in "singaportexpats.com" will get a "Domain not found error". After all of this, and the site is offline, and the owners aren't making money, they can THEN go to court in the US and fight their case. It is essentially innocent until proven guilty. And all of this over not HOSTING alleged infringing content, but simply linking to it.

[nakatago]

Here's an example of the arrogant, heavy-handed behaviour that's already taking place, even without the ridiculous powers envisaged by SOPA and PIPA:

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/01/2 ... one-wrong/

Yes, record companies, etc. have every right to protect their interests, but artists should also have their rights enforced and they should not be bullied by the large media conglomerates, who are basically only interested in maximising profit by any means.

The problem is there's no penalty for fraudulent take down notices. These companies, therefore use a scorched-earth tactic o sending as many threatening letters as possible, hoping someone would settle or simply overwhelm their target. After all, there's no consequence to them for any collateral damage.

[Mi Amigo]

It is essentially innocent until proven guilty.

I think you meant the other way round, correct?

[nakatago]

It is essentially innocent until proven guilty.

I think you meant the other way round, correct?

Yes; SOPA/PIPA (and apparently, now, ACTA) provisions basically say you're guilty until proven using boatloads of money that you're innocent.