The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate companion, the Protect IP Act (PIPA) are intended to strengthen protections against copyright infringement and intellectual property theft, but they would be a machete for an issue that needs a scalpel. If SOPA/PIPA were to be passed by Congress any site where a user posted copyrighted material could be sued and shut down. If enacted, this legislation could bring down all social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and WordPress. It would stifle startups, creativity and online collaboration.
Even OurChurch.Com would be at risk as we could be sued or shut down if one of our 14,000 users posted a copyrighted article or song on their site.
Online piracy is a major problem. Media companies lose out on billions of dollars because (mostly) foreign companies are selling or giving away their property online without paying royalties. But SOPA and PIPA are not the answer.
What can you do?
- Help inform your friends by sharing articles like this and talking with them about SOPA/PIPA.
- Add the Stop SOPA banner to your Facebook and Twitter profile pics at blackoutsopa.org
- Call your U.S. Representative and Senator.
What are your thoughts on SOPA? What are you doing about it?
3 Comments
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I am so happy to see you discussing SOPA and PIPA on your blog. Many of my blogging friends also blacked out their blogs/websites to protest the acts. I think it's very important for all of us to be involved in what our government does—it all affects us, after all! Thank you for discussing this somewhat controversial topic. I hope that those two acts don't see the light of day.
Thanks for your comment, MaryKate, and your support for the "Stop SOPA" movement. The current SOPA bill is now dead, but there will be another one introduced soon. We must continue to be vigilant to ensure the rights of both media producers and those who facilitate collaboration and sharing are protected.