SOPA is currently being debated by the US Congress.
According to Wikipedia, ” The bill expands the ability of U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods.[2] Now before the House Judiciary Committee, it builds on the similar PRO-IP Act of 2008 and the corresponding Senate bill, the Protect IP Act.[3]“
The bill is aimed at online privacy but will give the government the power to censor the internet, affecting users worldwide. Read on below to learn more and help stop this bill!
Updated 12/17/11 4:12 pm CST.
Update 12/17/11 12:53 PM CST. It looks like SOPA will actually be debated again on December 21st. We will keep you posted on the status.
Update 12/16/11 4:01 PM CST. SOPA has been defeated for this year, but it will come up again for vote next year. Thanks to everyday people voicing their opinion this bill was not allowed to pass today.
The bill would allow the Justice Department or copyright holders to get court orders against websites who publish copyrighted content. Not only will this affect pirate software and music sites, but also major sites we use everyday like Youtube and Facebook. The bill will force other companies like Paypal to stop doing business with them and require ISP’s to block the websites. If one user uploads copyrighted material to a website full of legal content, the entire website could be censored or blocked by ISPs.
Find out more on SOPA on Wikipedia
Information on SOPA @ Open Congress
We must stop this bill for the future of the internet! Everyone is urged to petition Congress to stop this freedom quashing bill.
Petition congress to stop SOPA
If you want to discuss this bill and ask questions about it you can join the SOPA discussion on Reddit
You an also view coverage from inside the SOPA hearings:
An insiders look on SOPA from someone in on the debate.
Live coverage @ Keep the Web Open
Update from inside the hearing room 12/15
Complete video coverage from 12/15
Many major US companies have come out in support of SOPA. We can’t let this happen. Tell companies you will boycott them for support of SOPA. Clear Channel, Comcast and the RIAA are some of the big name backers of the bill.
Major websites you know and love could be shut down in response to this bill. How to access major websites if they get shut down in a SOPA emergency. Some people are urging that you do not use the list until needed.
If you have any good SOPA resources or information, please share it in the comments section below.