Why are we against SOPA/PIPA?

Gaia · January 20, 2012, 6:01pm

First off, does everyone know what it truly is and what it means for you?

In simple words:

The legislation would allow copyright holders and the Justice Department to seek court orders against websites associated with copyright infringement.

If that court order is granted, the entire website would be taken down. Internet users who typed in the site’s URL address would receive an error message, and for all appearances, the site would never have existed.

Importantly, the court does not need to hear a defense from the actual website before issuing its ruling. The entire website can be condemned without a trial or even a traditional court hearing.

Copyright holders like movie studios can also invoke a “private right of action” against just about any company that does business with a website that copyright holders believe to be involved in copyright infringement. Copyright holders can demand that payment processors to cutoff the flow of money to a website or that search engines eliminate links to it – without ever entering a courtroom.

SOPA, the House version, applies to both domestic and foreign websites, while PIPA targets foreign websites.

Source.

We all/ most of us download illegal stuff and visit websites who participate in piracy, but I’m sure we agree that it is wrong to not pay an artist (musician, movie producer, etc.) for their work, right?

Questions to consider:

Many websites will be taken down without a trial. Is that okay, because after all, they were doing something illegal?
Are you willing for this bill to go through Congress, if adjustments are made? If so, what type of adjustments.
Maybe not this specific bill but would you support a bill which helps prevent piracy?

canadiandesigirl · January 20, 2012, 6:04pm