Internet Anti-Piracy Bill SOPA/PIPA

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Drew Ott

Drew Ott

Wish I were banned.
I'm sure you've all heard about this new bill. The bill aims to stop piracy, but many people are protesting because the bill, as written, might condone censorship.

I'm no expert on the law, so I'm not sure exactly what would happen if these bills pass.

What do you guys think? "Hollywood" is one of the big supporters of the bill. Should independent filmmakers also be in support, or do we benefit more from a completely unregulated internet?
 
Oh boy... this thread is going to turn ugly real quick. I got a huge opinion about this, but I have learned my lesson about posting those kinds of opinions here.... Sorry Drew.... I'm outta here.
 
If someone can explain to me how this bill 'might' condone censorship, then I'd love to hear it. As it stands now, all I know is the intent is to stop piracy.
 
I can't see this thread surviving. DVXUser doesn't tolerate piracy nor politics. I don't know how we can discuss it without hitting on those two things.
 
It's not the censorship issue in the bill, although it is a major concern, as is the section that allows the government to shut down the internet whenever it wishes (the "Kill Switch" provision).

The bill authorizes the government to shut down any website that is accused of posting copyrighted materials without permission. The site would remain shut down until adjudications are completed. That means that, if the bill was passed today, YouTube would be shut down tomorrow until every single accusation of copyright infringement was settled. How many videos on YouTube use music without permission? Millions? And make note of the fact that all it takes is an accusation. If you have a website for your little one-man production company your ex-girlfriend or a disgruntled PA could accuse you of using copyrighted material on your website (even if there isn't) and your website would be automatically shut down and stay down until the FCC hears your case, which could take months or even years.

The bill also mandates that websites must police themselves. For example, every single video submitted to YouTube would have to be reviewed by YouTube for potential copyright violations. That means Google would have to hire people to review each video as it is submitted. How long do you think YouTube would remain a free site; the costs to review every video would be astronomical.

Another example would be you take a picture of your camera to use on eBay; it looks like the manufacturers picture. All it takes is the accusation that the picture is under copyright to shut down eBay until the case is heard.

It would also be the perfect way for political or business rivals to strangle each other. Just imagine Apple accusing Microsoft of using copyrighted materials without permission. Under the proposed law all Microsoft websites would be shut down until the case is heard. Or Romney accuses Obama and the DNC of using copyrighted materials without permission, so all Obama/DNC websites would have to be shut down until the cases are heard.

Everyone keeps saying that those types of things would never happen, but the way the law is written the potential for those types of abuses are there. The intention of the law is admirable, but the law of unintended consequences will jump up to bite you in the rear every single time.
 
In before threadlock AND IN CAPS

edit:
I am soooo against sopa, I already started a thread about the SOPA CABANA SOPA CAN BAN YA video viral and my thread got deleted
oh well !
Hope this one survives long enough to help make people aware
 
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