SOPA/ACTA Watch

[I EAT pain]

Well, there is this bill trying to be passed and basicly it allows the Government to effectivly shutdown websites because of links that may] have copyright infringments, also, they could arrest anyone that is doing ANY type of copy-right. I.E. Let's plays, singing a song, clips of a T.V. show, ect. So, it gives the government total control of all websites in the range of America, if this bill is passed, they will shutdown about 80% of all websites in America, Youtube, tumbler, all those streaming website,ect. An the way this bill was written, it by-passes the freedom of speech for reviewers, bloggers, comedians, basicly everyone involved in media, now, I stumbled apon this on The Angry Joe Show, here's the link: http://angryjoeshow.com/2011/12/angry-j ... stop-sopa/ So, what's your take on this bill? Oh, one more thing, the government could tamper with the whole integraty of the internet, making the internet very unstable and completly open to attacks from viruses. Well, now, tell me what you think. (P.S. if the bill is passed, this website along with all the other wiki's will be shut down quicker than Ma'iq the liar in oblivion, let's all hope to God that the protest will be a victory)

[Avron the S'wit]

Isn't this bill opposed by Google, Yahoo!, and other major internet sources?

I'm all for anti-piracy laws, but in today's world there is a difference between blatant piracy, such as movie, music, and game downloads, and a sharing of information, such as a Wikipedia-based model. But, I don't know much about this act, and the reality is piracy is very difficult to stop. Good reasons for this, of course. As always, let me point everyone to a book they will never read: I Live in the Future: & Here's How it Works. Nice chapter on this stuff in there!

[Sloady]

Piracy hasn't hurt the music/film/tv industry, it's actually increased business. Not to mention, this act will allow the American government Draconian questions. Plus, the U.S government seems to forget that the internet is global. They'll drive away business this way, and they can't afford that. But Tea Party Republicans are the big problem here - as usual. Hopefully it won't pass. Living in Ireland, I don't care, but it's a horrible thing for the U.S nonetheless.

[POMC S117]

All these bills being passed are making me feel sad. Maybe the conspiracies are true.

[Veck]

It will never get passed. The US government doesn't have the totalitarian power to eliminate such liberties as freedom of discussion and sharing of information. If they think they do, then the public reactions might be worth a few laughs. And if it does get passed, this site will be gone before you can all laugh at me for being wrong, so me no care.

[Fiar]

I've been trying to do my part to ensure this doesn't pass. Fight For The Future is an organization that has a petition, and is working with a site to try and stop this bill dead in its tracks.

I'd rather not imagine where this bill could lead, if on the off-chance, it passes.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

I actually think that it is more directed at sites like the pirate bay than anything else. If wikipedia sites were copyright infringements, then someone would have filed a lawsuit already.

In fact, by having wikis as a non-profit site and posting something like this:

Spoiler:

The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) is neither directly nor indirectly related to Bethesda Softworks, nor parent company ZeniMax Media, in any way, shape, or form, neither does the UESP claim any representative rights to such. The UESP is an entirely non-profit site and currently maintains no monetary value. Its purpose is that of an open information repository and is not intended to infringe upon the copyrights of Bethesda Softworks, nor their parent and affiliate companies. This site is neither supported nor endorsed by Bethesda Softworks or its licensers.

I'm sure it's not a copyright infringement.

So saying something like this:

if this bill is passed, they will shutdown about 80% of all websites in America

Is most certainly an overreaction.

[Fiar]

The real worry with this bill, is it allows them to close domestic and foreign sites. And the tenants of it are particularly vague as it is, last time I checked. Even NPO's who use material under the Fair-act agreement are at risk of being shut down.

[Dark Lord Cam]

The US government has more important things to worry about than the internet. The bill will in fact more than likely die in committee.

[I EAT pain]

So saying something like this:

if this bill is passed, they will shutdown about 80% of all websites in America

Is most certainly an overreaction.

I see what you're getting at, but, in any instance, if a site footage or a link to pirated media, they will quickly shutdown the site. An example would be a youtuber commenting saying, "Free games and music downloads, here: Pirate.com" It would make youtube responsible for having that link, it's like this because the wording of the bill is so broad, it would allow ANY instance. Also, on UESP we have screenshots and footage, it's a type of pirating, even though no-one is gaining money, we do show gamplay, without Bethesda's O.K. Thus, making us liable for sueing... To an extent.

[Dark Lord Cam]

That's why bills go to committee guys. They alter the wording to reflect what they want and to make them more specific to avoid loopholes. The thing is, most bills die when they go to committee because no one can agree on how to alter them. If no compromise can be reached, the bill never gets voted on. That's how it works.

[Assassin540]

Im so mad right now what is happening to America I got a bad feeling about this stuff guy's get ready for a full blown war if this bill get's passed.

[Fiar]

That's why bills go to committee guys. They alter the wording to reflect what they want and to make them more specific to avoid loopholes. The thing is, most bills die when they go to committee because no one can agree on how to alter them. If no compromise can be reached, the bill never gets voted on. That's how it works.

Sadly, this bill has gotten massive backage by senators, Hollywood, movie and music companies. And they've been doing their utmost best to push this along congress with some success.

If anyone is curious on this, visit this site.

Americancencorship.org

There are some videos on this bill on that site.

As it says, it's better to overreact now while we have a chance, then let it pass when we could have done something.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Im so mad right now what is happening to America I got a bad feeling about this stuff guy's get ready for a full blown war if this bill get's passed.

Overreacting, don't you think?

I see what you're getting at, but, in any instance, if a site footage or a link to pirated media, they will quickly shutdown the site. An example would be a youtuber commenting saying, "Free games and music downloads, here: Pirate.com" It would make youtube responsible for having that link, it's like this because the wording of the bill is so broad, it would allow ANY instance. Also, on UESP we have screenshots and footage, it's a type of pirating, even though no-one is gaining money, we do show gamplay, without Bethesda's O.K. Thus, making us liable for sueing... To an extent.

2 Things here:

One person doing something like that doesn't warrant a lawsuit or a site shutdown. As I said previously, that's not what the government is aiming for with this bill. They're looking to shut down sites selling illegal music and movies.

Also, I'm certain wikipedias don't violate copyright information. If they did, considering wikipedia lists information and pictures about everything in the world, it would have been sued already.

[Assassin540]

Im so mad right now what is happening to America I got a bad feeling about this stuff guy's get ready for a full blown war if this bill get's passed.

Overreacting, don't you think?

I see what you're getting at, but, in any instance, if a site footage or a link to pirated media, they will quickly shutdown the site. An example would be a youtuber commenting saying, "Free games and music downloads, here: Pirate.com" It would make youtube responsible for having that link, it's like this because the wording of the bill is so broad, it would allow ANY instance. Also, on UESP we have screenshots and footage, it's a type of pirating, even though no-one is gaining money, we do show gamplay, without Bethesda's O.K. Thus, making us liable for sueing... To an extent.

2 Things here:

One person doing something like that doesn't warrant a lawsuit or a site shutdown. As I said previously, that's not what the government is aiming for with this bill. They're looking to shut down sites selling illegal music and movies.

Also, I'm certain wikipedias don't violate copyright information. If they did, considering wikipedia lists information and pictures about everything in the world, it would have been sued already.

Maybe just a little

[Eltee]

Meh. UESP is a Canadian site, so I'll rest easy...

[I EAT pain]

It is... Holy [&@%!], I never knew that! Canada, the greatest winter wonderland! lol get it? Canada's wonderland... Eh, there's someone out there laughing...

[Sloady]

The bill will in fact more than likely die in committee.

If only... <3

[Biggsydaboss]

All the while the British goverment are planning to relax copyright rules allowing free exchange of any information whether copywritten or not, as long as it's not for profit.

[Fiar]

Even the British realize this bill is bad business.

TotalHalibut thankfully has a big following, so an influx of people against this thing should hopefully surface.

[Biggsydaboss]

RE Fire Acolyte's link. I know most Americans stopped listening to us Brits in or around 1775, but there's truth in what this man says. Capitalism & Democracy don't always go hand in hand. Big business aren't as interested in your rights as they are in profit margins. They will try & stop anything that could potentially effect their profits. Even if it doesn't, just the mere threat is good enough.

[Fiar]

RE Fire Acolyte's link. I know most Americans stopped listening to us Brits in or around 1775, but there's truth in what this man says. Capitalism & Democracy don't always go hand in hand. Big business aren't as interested in your rights as they are in profit margins. They will try & stop anything that could potentially effect their profits. Even if it doesn't, just the mere threat is good enough.

Pretty much, as I said, if this passes, no site foreign or domestic will be safe if they can be hit with the copyright seal. Even this site, the images we have on here can be linked with Bethesda, since TES is their property along with Zenimax's. Good lord, these people are those who one said that cassette players should be banned, then later on saying the same for home recording, cause they thought it'd kill their living, it didn't. This was stated in the video, but I'm saying it in case no one wants to watch a 21 minute video.

This bill won't die in committee, it has too many big names behind it that won't let it happen; as I have said before. I know some people don't wanna do anything, cause they think it'll sort itself out, but we stand to lose a lot. Normally I'm on the sidelines myself, and I've already sent them an email, I'll probably send a couple more and then call them telling them to oppose this bill, along Protect IP.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, this bill is far too vague, the people who support it are far to naive to know what this does (It's true, some of the senators, have said they have no idea how this bill works, yet still support it.), and the faceless corporations behind this don't give a damn how this impacts us as long as they can do what they want.

[Dark Lord Cam]

This bill won't die in committee, it has too many big names behind it that won't let it happen

Lulz.

Big names don't mean a single damn thing in Washington. If all of the other representatives disagree with you or if none of them can agree on how to word this bill, then no corporate bribe, intimate favor, or whining on Earth will ever get it passed. This is the country that makes the word compromise a controversy.

[Avron the S'wit]

...and it has big names behind its opposition, particularly internet companies. Unless the US wants to hurt business with major companies like Google, they would reconsider this.

[Iamgoofball]

Even the British realize this bill is bad business.

TotalHalibut thankfully has a big following, so an influx of people against this thing should hopefully surface.

We need to get the famous lets players to help oppose this thing.