Why SOPA is dangerous, an explanation of the bill

[ladyofleithian]

Originally posted by nyxmidnight at Why SOPA is dangerous, an explanation of the bill

Why SOPA is dangerous

To Sum Up
SOPA:

• Gives the government the right to unilaterally censor foreign websites.
• Gives copyright holders the right to issue economic takedowns and bring lawsuits against website owners and operators, if those websites have features that make it possible to post infringing content. [A comment feature is enough.]
• Makes it a felony offense to post a copyrighted song or video.

This bill turns us all into criminals. If it passes, then you either stop using the Internet, or you simply hope that you never end up in the crosshairs, because if you’re targeted, you will be destroyed by this bill. You don’t have to be a big, mean, nasty criminal — common Internet usage is effectively criminalized under this law. This bill will kill American innovation and development of the Internet, as it will become too risky to do anything of value. It is toxic and dangerous, and should not, under any circumstances, be supported.

And on another note: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16642369.

Basically, Megaupload has been shut down and the owners charged -- eerily (or not so eerily -- I should know better) enough after the blackout. I'm thinking the people who started SOPA are going to be as stubborn as the Pharaoh in Exodus until this is all over -- and even when it's not.

Comments

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything here except for one tiny point:

Fandom is forever, and it always finds a way. I realize it's hard to imagine fandom without the internet, but Trekkies paved the way in the 70s. We had conventions, fanzines, and any number of organizations. I was a part of that crowd well before the internet. It can be done. And honestly, it was a lot more fun too. Geekdom was something special.

And related to that, humanity always finds a way to do whatever it wants to do. Prohibition led to gangster types like Al Capone. The solution? Repeal prohibition. Worst case scenario, they shut it down and it's a temporary setback at best because people rise even faster than before. Hopefully it won't come to that, but like I always says - if people don't learn from history, they're doomed to repeat it.

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

That's reassuring. Thanks. :) *sighs*

Still...it won't quite be the same if it goes through. But I doubt it will, if the uproar that's occurred is any indication. Still... *is uncertain*

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

There was a time when people thought the web would ruin the world. Just like a shutdown, everyone's half right. It changes, some for the good, some for the bad. Those with something to express will always find the means to express it. Those who want the expression will always find it. If the net breaks, something else will come along to replace it.

[gwinna]

Yikes, I hadn't heard that about Megaupload. I wonder what's going to happen to their lawsuit against Universal.

[tygtig.livejournal.com]

Hey. SOPA won't be able to shut down the internet in other countries since American law is only valid in the US - as The Pirate Bay has been very, very rude in pointing out. The net will prevail.

Right now we have Pirate parties up for election in a lot of european countries, there must be a good, strong base to fight this using mirror servers and stuff.
(But it WON'T pass.)