SOPA threatens to shut down the internet...seriously.

[CalebToNowhere]

I think most people are just reading the title and posting their opinions without seeing what is really up with the article and SOPA. I've been reading through this thread and it is really scary!

I think you're not understanding either the seriousness of SOPA or how the takedowns work. Prometheus is not exaggerating when he says INGO ends. All it takes is ONE person complaining to the ISP that a site infringed something and the ISP will be required to kick that site offline. The domain name will be seized, and any IP addresses will be firewalled. That's BEFORE there's any investigation. AND THEN the claimaint can now go after not just the person who posted it but also the website owners. Once ALL OF THAT is settled (years, probably), then the site may be allowed to go back online, but by then the damage is long past done. If you think you can get around this just by "changing servers", well then, you just go ahead and ignore this warning.

 

[jedi]

So what group/companies are pushing for this? Congress does not typically just write/pass laws for the sake of passing stuff. It's always becuase one group/industry "needs help" in taking care of it's competition.

12-21-2012 here we come...
-Jedi

 

[1911 DeadHead]

So what group/companies are pushing for this? Congress does not typically just write/pass laws for the sake of passing stuff. It's always becuase one group/industry "needs help" in taking care of it's competition.

12-21-2012 here we come...
-Jedi

I was wondering the same. Who and what companies in their right minds would back this?!

 

[bwframe]

So what group/companies are pushing for this? Congress does not typically just write/pass laws for the sake of passing stuff. It's always becuase one group/industry "needs help" in taking care of it's competition.

12-21-2012 here we come...
-Jedi

Hollywood and the music industry.
Ever hear that Mellencamp quote? :
"I think the Internet is the most dangerous thing invented since the atomic bomb. [...] It's destroyed the music business. It's going to destroy the movie business."

 

[bwframe]

The politicians and the special interests who supported them are trying to sneak this under the wire between elections. It's up to us to not let that happen.

It's the same deal with the Amazon Internet tax issue; Amazon, Indiana strike state sales tax deal - Page 2 - INGunOwners

 

[mrjarrell]

All the Companies Supporting SOPA, the Awful Internet Censorship Law and How to Contact Them

 

[SmileDocHill]

I'm no expert on politics or technology but I do remember seeing a documentary on Bill Gates (Microsoft) and the way the Gov. squeezed money out of them seems similar to the motivation behind this action.

Basically, early in MS's history they started making HUGE profits and not spending any (or little) money on any political candidates or lobbying. The politicians realized that Microsoft needed to have a couple actions started that would have an effect on them so they would have a reason to "support" something. After MS started giving their "protection money" to political parties their lawsuits and political hurdles went away.

If there isn't a threat of something being taken away from you then you don't have a reason to contribute to a group to help you fight it. I realize it isn't that simple but this concept has to be playing a role.

 

[LegatoRedrivers]

Go ahead - turn all that stuff off. The internet will still be there. So will people who use it. No one will be harmed by this action except the companies who turn off their services.

First they came for my Googles, and I said nothing...

 

[steveh_131]

I'm glad to see some big companies standing up to this monstrosity. I hope more join in. Thank you for the links with information on which companies to contact/boycott over this.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Message Subject: SOPA (HR 3261)
Message Text:
Dear Congressman Rokita,
I would like to register in the strongest terms my objection to the above bill. Please do everything in your power to ensure that this bill is defeated permanently.

Thank you very much.

Most sincerely,
<signed>

.

 

[mrjarrell]

Here's a list of who's for it and against it. Looks like there's a lot of support for this travesty from the usual suspects. The Indiana delegation doesn't seem to be leaning either way, or they have just refused to state their stance.

Who in Congress Supports SOPA and PROTECT-IP? | SOPA Opera

About PROTECT-IP (Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011) | Who in Congress Supports SOPA and PROTECT-IP? | SOPA Opera

About SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) | Who in Congress Supports SOPA and PROTECT-IP? | SOPA Opera

 

[Lucas156]

I'm no expert on politics or technology but I do remember seeing a documentary on Bill Gates (Microsoft) and the way the Gov. squeezed money out of them seems similar to the motivation behind this action.

Basically, early in MS's history they started making HUGE profits and not spending any (or little) money on any political candidates or lobbying. The politicians realized that Microsoft needed to have a couple actions started that would have an effect on them so they would have a reason to "support" something. After MS started giving their "protection money" to political parties their lawsuits and political hurdles went away.

If there isn't a threat of something being taken away from you then you don't have a reason to contribute to a group to help you fight it. I realize it isn't that simple but this concept has to be playing a role.

Yup like I said before sounds just like the mafia to me. Why don't they pass the law that government officials can't accept bribes. Corrupt bastards.

 

[Steelman]

Lugar Response

Dear Mr. Steelman:



Thank you for sharing with me your opposition to proposals such as S.
968, the Protect IP Act of 2011, and H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy
Act. I appreciate having the benefit of your views.



The widespread use of digital media is still a relatively new
phenomenon, and the law has not caught up with all the capabilities
available to anyone with a computer and Internet access. This has
prompted a vigorous debate on how digital copyrights should be
protected, particularly with respect to the ongoing conflict between the
rights of artists and producers to protect their intellectual property
versus the recognized right of consumers to make recordings for personal
use.



While I believe that we must ensure the continuing integrity of our
important copyright laws both domestically and abroad, I agree that
enforcement must take place in a manner that protects the rights of all
parties involved. I will closely follow consideration of these and
other relevant proposals with your concerns in mind.



Again, thank you for contacting me. Knowing your concerns is helpful to
me.



Sincerely,

Richard G.
Lugar
United
States Senator

 

[mrjarrell]

Wow, that was a very typical Lugar non-response. He completely failed to take a position on it. Wonder what his financials look like? How much recording industry money does he have in his coffers? My guess is he'll fall right in line and support it.

 

[Steelman]

I'm still waiting on the same from Coats. No support for the Intarwebz from the Wonder Twins.

Wow, that was a very typical Lugar non-response. He completely failed to take a position on it. Wonder what his financials look like? How much recording industry money does he have in his coffers? My guess is he'll fall right in line and support it.

 

[MadBomber]

Dear Mr. Steelman:



Thank you for sharing with me your opposition to proposals such as S.
968, the Protect IP Act of 2011, and H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy
Act. I appreciate having the benefit of your views.



The widespread use of digital media is still a relatively new
phenomenon, and the law has not caught up with all the capabilities
available to anyone with a computer and Internet access. This has
prompted a vigorous debate on how digital copyrights should be
protected, particularly with respect to the ongoing conflict between the
rights of artists and producers to protect their intellectual property
versus the recognized right of consumers to make recordings for personal
use.



While I believe that we must ensure the continuing integrity of our
important copyright laws both domestically and abroad, I agree that
enforcement must take place in a manner that protects the rights of all
parties involved. I will closely follow consideration of these and
other relevant proposals with your concerns in mind.



Again, thank you for contacting me. Knowing your concerns is helpful to
me.



Sincerely,

Richard G.
Lugar
United
States Senator

Translation offered in plain English:

"**** up a rope son."

 

[Colts]

Half Empty or Half Full

Not to make a light of a serious issue but . . .

A. Protesters shut down search engines, email, etc. for a day or two; sounds like a good ole fashion snow day. I hope the weather is nice and I have the opportunity for some target practice.

B. SOPA happens and eventually SHTF; now those prepared can see how their plan works (do they have enough supplies, who can they count on, etc.). Maybe we can learn something and will find use for landlines, fax machines, printed material, etc.?

The real worry is if everyone has to start communicating with their families and associates direct in person instead of hiding out on the Internet using someone else's copyrighted media.

Sorry, back to our regularly scheduled program - write your congressman and stop the maddness.


I wish people would quit breaking into my house and pasting stuff like this in my messages:

 

[ATM]

You just got sued for your avatar under SOPA.

Who let you out of your box?

 

[spasmo]

Who let you out of your box?

You missed him and you know it!

 

[jedi]

You missed him and you know it!

Well yes & no. But now he has gone all "sue happy" and thinks he is the SOPA Sue Nazi.

Would SOPA apply to words as well? Like in my AVATAR the word "Jedi"?
The picture I own since that is a custom LEGO minfig I had created for me. So no suing me for that one.