SOPA, PIPA, & the FBI

[blancanvas]

I'm curious to know peoples' thoughts on the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act before Congress. The legislation appears to be at a stand-still for now but if passed, it could severely limit what users see, hear, and read over the Internet.

Here's the latest on SOPA and PIPA:
http://www.freep.com/article/20120121/NEWS09/201210335/Senate-House-leaders-stall-action-on-piracy-bills

Also, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has shut down file-sharing site Megaupload.com for 'copyright infringement' and authorities in New Zealand have arrested several executives from the company. This move would certainly discourage the free-flow of information and media as well.

Here's the latest on the FBI's crackdown on file-sharing:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/megaupload-shutdown-raises-new-internet-sharing-fears/2012/01/20/gIQATHRtEQ_story.html

[icarus1]

The whole ideas behind PIPA and SOPA are misguided. It is simply a way the gov't can take control of the internet and shut things down. It will do nothing more than destroy the net. It makes as much sense as if I have a car accident, do I shut down Toyota or someone? C'mon people. If the movie industry has a problem with piracy, which they do seem to, then use proper channels on your own through proper legal channels and stop asking big brother to wipe our butt for you. The industry is destined to go the way of the music industry and the Swiss watch industry if they fail to see the changes ahead of them.

[gary198]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57363594-93/filesonic-disables-file-sharing-in-wake-of-megaupload-arrests/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

The net could be in serious trouble.