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Proposed piracy bill could censor the internet

(CNN) The Stop Online Piracy Act was introduced to the House of Representatives in October to fight online piracy by coming down harder on issues surrounding copyright and trademarks. The act will target rogue sites - websites that traffic stolen content such as movies, TV shows and music. The act would allow for copyright holders to file complaints and have websites with illegal content shut down. These websites would not be able to use the services of search engines such as Google. Yesterday, tech giants including Facebook, AOL, Google, Twitter made a formal complaint to the Senate and House lawmakers, afraid that the act will censor the internet. 

1.

Concern from internet and technology companies

Protect Innovation
On Nov. 15, internet and technology companies AOL, eBay, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Twitter, Yahoo and Zynga sent a letter to the house of representatives. While the companies say they want to work with Congress to stop foreign “rogue” websites, they are worried the drafted bill would hurt the innovatoin, job-creation and cybersecurity of companies that are law-abiding. The companies are concerned that SOPA would undermine the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that protects internet companies that remove copyright infringing material from their websites in good faith. The letter highlights the importance of the internet to Americans and people around the world, as well at its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product. 

2.

The “Stop Online Piracy Act” the House of Representatives is looking at

House Judiciary Committee
The act document provides a detailed list of terms and definitions ranging from internet search engine to domain. The act shows how internet search engines and payment network providers have five days after being served a copy of the order to stop providing services that are violating the act. The 78-page document is full of legal jargon, but is thorough in explaining exactly what is covered by the act. 

3.

Day of action held to fight American censorship

Fight For the Future
A coalition of websites including Creative Commons and Mozilla hosted American Censorship Day on Nov. 16. A petition has been created that sends a message urging Senator Wyden and other members of Congress to oppose SOPA. HTML code for websites, blogs and tumblr sites that will censor your own website logo is available on the site. They highlight how ordinary internet users could go to jail for up to five years for an infraction such as singing a pop song on Facebook. They say that websites that are legal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act would face new legal threats. Notable websites such as Grooveshark, Reddit and 4chan joined hundreds of other websites in this day of action.

4.

Rogue websites can look legitimate

Motion Picture Association of America
The Motion Picture Association of America supports SOPA. They explain clearly what rogue websites are and why they are dangerous. These sites are hosted worldwide and may look legitimate by having advertisements from reputable companies and accepting major credit cards. These sites allow for people to benefit and profit from content they had no part in creating. Rogue sites can also expose people to malware, identity theft and counterfeit products. The motion picture industry supports more than 2 million jobs, jobs that can be lost because of theft from rogue sites. The association says a coalition of businesses, labour unions, law enforcement and other stakeholders needs to work together to stop rogue sites. 

5.

Recording industry supports SOPA

Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America supports SOPA. Cary Sherman, the Chairman and CEO of the association made a statement highlighting the importance of the law for American music. The use of “rogue” sites offering illegal downloads of music means the creators of the music don’t receive payment. This results in thousands of lost jobs and fewer opportunities for musicians. SOPA would allow for foreign websites distributing illegal content to be held accountable, no longer allowing them to get away from U.S. laws. The RIAA is a Washington based trade organization made up of music labels that make up the American music industry.