Anyone been following this?

 

It's a fairly iron-fisted attempt to block access to websites that allow "file sharing," which is to say non-US websites that allow users to download music and movies and other content without paying for them. While it's something most people would probably support, the bill would allow the government to block access to these sites by prohibiting any website from linking to them and would require any content placed online to be owned by the site itself. This would require Google to delete any website from its searches that infringes on these requirements, which could be monumental in scope, and would effectively shut down sites like YouTube. Most of all, it would require ISPs to completely block access to these sites. Critics are apoplectic over the bill, arguing that its censorship powers are far too broad and would severely curtail the free market of ideas and communication that is the internet, not just torrent sites like Pirate Bay. The founder of Wikipedia is threatening to shut down the English version of the site if the bill passes. The most outspoken proponent of the bill, former Senator and now head lobbyist for the MPAA, Chris Dodd has praised the bill for its similarity to the Chinese government's censorship powers.

Count me in the group that is completely against this.

Anyone been following this?

 

It's a fairly iron-fisted attempt to block access to websites that allow "file sharing," which is to say non-US websites that allow users to download music and movies and other content without paying for them. While it's something most people would probably support, the bill would allow the government to block access to these sites by prohibiting any website from linking to them and would require any content placed online to be owned by the site itself. This would require Google to delete any website from its searches that infringes on these requirements, which could be monumental in scope, and would effectively shut down sites like YouTube. Most of all, it would require ISPs to completely block access to these sites. Critics are apoplectic over the bill, arguing that its censorship powers are far too broad and would severely curtail the free market of ideas and communication that is the internet, not just torrent sites like Pirate Bay. The founder of Wikipedia is threatening to shut down the English version of the site if the bill passes. The most outspoken proponent of the bill, former Senator and now head lobbyist for the MPAA, Chris Dodd has praised the bill for its similarity to the Chinese government's censorship powers.

He realizes that's bad, right?

He realizes that's bad, right?

 

:lol: Apparently not. He's been stumbling all over himself trying to defend this.

:lol: Apparently not. He's been stumbling all over himself trying to defend this.

Does it have a shot in hell of passing?

He realizes that's bad, right?

 

Glad to see I wasn't the only one who was wondering "why the heck do we want to be like China?".

Does it have a shot in hell of passing?

 

Yep. It was scheduled to leave committee today, but it looks like it was stalled at the last second about half an hour ago. I imagine it would have breezed through had there not been such an overwhelming response against it by some high-traffic websites.

Is it strange that my first thought was "Don't worry, the people posting over at 4chan and reddit who are responsible for the continued operation of the internet won't let this happen."?

 

If anything is "similar to one used by the Chinese government" we should really have a moment of quiet reflection before acting on it.

I already called Senator McConnell's office about this. I need to call Rand Paul's.

Count me in the group that is completely against this.

 

Count me in as well.

Sounds like President Obama is set to sign this into effect Monday. :ohbrother:

Hackers will have a field day with this.

Sounds like President Obama is set to sign this into effect Monday. :ohbrother:

Awful...

Is it strange that my first thought was "Don't worry, the people posting over at 4chan and reddit who are responsible for the continued operation of the internet won't let this happen."?

 

:lol: Not at all. I thought the same thing.

Sounds like President Obama is set to sign this into effect Monday. :ohbrother:

 

Where have you seen that? I don't think it can be brought to a vote that quickly.