Stop SOPA - USA members, please read

[Kura]

This is legitimately terrifying to me. I hate to think what would happen to websites like LSF and like deviantArt where fanworks make up a part of the community and of the collective creative process, but even more, just the very idea of enabling the government to block websites is sickening. It's completely counter to the spirit of the internet. Take on websites that are legitimately violating laws, enabling theft, and hurting media creators? Good. Scare websites into disallowing Fair Use, and hold site owners responsible for fleeting user actions? Bad. Instead of confronting the people causing the problem, just hide it from US eyes? Worst possible option.

US folks who want to contact your legislator about it, this website is useful: http://americancensorship.org/
I filled in that little box with a nice long rant about the importance of the internet as a global creative space.

By the way, thanks for making this an announcement. Definitely worth it.

[Fawn]

So, from what I understand, if this passes everyone who owned a website/forum/ect would have to scan their users for copyright infringement... How do they think that will work? There is so much content on the internet, it would be nearly impossible to crack down on every single person who possibly posted something copyrighted. The "crimes" will still happen in large magnitudes... Why don't they just give up, they'll never be able to stop people posting copyrighted things on their websites completely, you'd have to be crazy to think that's possible. (and even crazier to think people would be okay with it!)

Why don't they spend this time they're wasting on something that's actually hurting people? Like a strengthening/creating bill or program that helps crack down on sites that promote self harm, racism or child pornography? It boils my blood to think they care more about rich movie companies than people who actually need help.

[dramspringfeald]

I'm a bit late but it's been passed on.

[Sapphi]

AAAAAARGH... the political situation in this country makes me want to bang my head against a desk... repeatedly...

I sent an email to my local representatives... not sure how much good it will do but at least I did something. At least I can take a teensy tiny bit of solace in the fact that my little mouse voice could possibly be heard amidst the thunderous din of present-day American idiocy... -_-

[Rewritten Ennui]

I'm a bit late but it's been passed on.

To my knowledge, it has not yet been approved into law. There was a hearing about the issue, but that's it.

If SOPA does pass, however, Congress might as well shut down the Internet for the whole US. Hi there, Big Brother. Come to watch us again?

[Astrane]

So in other words, if I got it right, they're trying to bully all the internet website owners into submission, and turn them into their faithfull puppies.

You own a website, from now on you'll have to do all the dirty work for us : 24/24, 7/7, search every corner of your site and remove everything the big bro doesn't like. What freedom, fair use? Screw freedom !, and mind what you say, they've got their eye on you ! The wage this job offers : lost time, stress and a constant stream of irritation and annoyance flowing towards you from the rest of the community, that now has one less reason to exist

[dramspringfeald]

Good news guys.
It failed

[Mink]

Why don't they spend this time they're wasting on something that's actually hurting people? Like a strengthening/creating bill or program that helps crack down on sites that promote self harm, racism or child pornography?

Stop with your logic and making sense, Fawn!

And really, how did this make any sense? Wouldn't the reasonable thing to do would be go after actual pirate sites and not a legit site that someone happens to post a link on? Wait, too much sense.

[J. Datie]

And really, how did this make any sense? Wouldn't the reasonable thing to do would be go after actual pirate sites and not a legit site that someone happens to post a link on? Wait, too much sense.

Far too much sense, and not nearly enough dollars. Hollywood needs more monies, and the best way to get the monies is to upset the people that give them said monies.

Good news guys.
It failed

Good news, everyone! And by everyone, I mean everyone. Because even the people that support this law can't follow it. Actually, weren't there two of these? I seem to recall reading somewhere that there was another similar one.

[LVUER]

Yay, glad to hear it failed ^_^ One thing I love about US is the "freedom". Take away the freedom and I will take other countries at anytime.

[Gear]

Reading this topic from beginning to end, being initially unaware of SOPA, was a roller coaster ride. Worst thrill movie EVER.

[Blue Lemma]

Why don't they spend this time they're wasting on something that's actually hurting people? Like a strengthening/creating bill or program that helps crack down on sites that promote self harm, racism or child pornography? It boils my blood to think they care more about rich movie companies than people who actually need help.

I see what you mean, but be careful what you wish for... the more the government gets involved in any kind of censorship, the more crazy consequences there often are. I'm against self-harm, racism, and child porn, but I just can't picture the government hitting the one-two combo of pure motives AND intelligent implementation anytime soon with how the system currently is. (Just think what an inconsistent mess obscenity laws are, plus the Christopher Handley case. Not exactly dealing with just the real threats.)

It failed

Witness the influence of the forum! (edit: it's not dead yet, keep contacting congress!)

But seriously, you can bet they'll be back soon with a different, more insidious attempt to censor everything. As someone who has his game floating around those skeezy piracy sites, I HATE those moochers trying to make a buck off my work. Doesn't make me a fan of all possible government solutions, though. Let's get something better, people

[J. Datie]

But seriously, you can bet they'll be back soon with a different, more insidious attempt to censor everything.

And we'll be there to stop them, each and every week!

Until we jump the shark after 7 seasons and get canceled.

[PyTom]

It didn't fail.

It's certainly no longer steamrolling through congress - but that doesn't mean it won't pass. Plenty of unpopular bills pass, when one or two congresscritters horse-trade to get them passed.

[Auro-Cyanide]

Who would police this type of thing anyway? The shear workforce that would be required to track that many internet sites would be... mind boggling. Not to mention the way the court system would be over run with various allegations :/ DA can't handle the reports they get and they are only just one site. I can't even imagine what you would need to do for the entirety of the internet D: Have they thought through with how it would work and what the repercussions would be, or are they just trying to blindly pass a bill?