Defend the Internet: Say No To SOPA
David Post wrote a good summary of the severe problems with the "Protect IP Act" and "Stop Online Piracy Act" that are making their ways through Congress.
"It’s not law — it’s a kind of thuggery, and it will make the Net a much, much less vibrant place (and a teeny bit safer for copyright holders — if that) if it is enacted." - David Post
Anyone who has ever kept a blog, uploaded a YouTube video, used Google for research, or ever created or published anything on the web should be concerned about this legislation. It carelessly jeopardizes intellectual freedom and democracy on the net.
If you don't feel like reading Post's short blog post, then Dean Baker over at the Huffington Post sums it all up in two sentences:
"The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) would place an enormous burden not just on Internet giants like Google and Facebook, but any website that allows people to post content or includes links to other sites. An owner of copyrighted material would be able to go the Justice Department and claim infringement and request that the whole site be taken down."
Forbes has put together a list of things the average person can do to stop SOPA.
- While everyone else is having the best Presidents Day ever I'll be working and going to school. #feelsorryforme
- I was rooting for Mrs. Patmore and Matthew after seeing them dancing together. I guess this ending works too. #DowntonPBS
- RT @AHolmengren: Maggie Smith is the bomb.