SOPA? Dope it out to the end!
The word on everyone’s minds today is SOPA, Stop Online Piracy Act.
I don’t think most people understand the consequences of SOPA. They
are looking at the stated purpose and not seeing the long term
consequences.
The stated purpose sounds good. Stop the piracy of information on the net. Think about who this really helps. It doesn’t help you or me. It’s not protecting us from anything. I don’t even think those it is supposed to protect understand the consequences.
The way it is written, the government can blackout any site accused of posting copyrighted or protected material. So let’s think this through.
Let’s say that you go to the movies and see a trailer for an awesome film. You come home go online and find that trailer and then you post the link to that trailer on Facebook. Did you go through the trouble of writing to the studio and asking for their permission to post the link? Of course not, you just shared copyrighted material without permission. The studio is hoping that you will do just that and create buzz for the film. The more buzz the film generates before it opens, the more money the studio makes when that movie opens.
SOPA however, opens the way for anyone to report that link as an infringement of copyright. Under SOPA the government can now blackout Facebook. Not your profile but the site itself. Read more here.
So why am I talking about SOPA On APSense? Because every social network on the internet will be affected if SOPA passes, including APSense. There are also unwanted long term consequences for those of us who live in the US.
Comments (14)
Cheryl Baumgartner
12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
That one I had not heard of, Thanks Oswald.
Oswald Rodrigues
10
writermaster.gumroad.com
There's yet another "act" called ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) which is just as draconian. Here's the link to the website that provides information about ACTA: http://www.laquadrature.net/ACTA
Cheryl Baumgartner
12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Thanks Paula. Both SOPA and PIPA have been tabled infdefinitely but that does not mean they have been dropped or abandoned, it just means that passing unpopular laws in an election year is political suicide and the representatives know it.
Paula van Dun
6
Social Marketing works.
great article Cheryl
Oswald Rodrigues
10
writermaster.gumroad.com
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. These greedy media and entertainment fat cats should not be allowed to take away our freedom through such ill-conceived "acts". Kudos to all those who protested and opposed SOPA (which means soup in Portuguese). However, we must stay vigilant lest they try to sneak it in at a later date under some other name.
Cheryl Baumgartner
12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
We tend to ignore things and assume that they don't affect us or take things at face value.This law, if it manages to pass will affect all of us and is written to do more than what is stated. Hopefully with backers pulling up out it, it will just die.
Pooja Singh
6
Online Marketing
I don't understand what's wrong with us.
Adam Magyar
1
This stuff is absolutely ludicrous... there will be justice. :)
Cheryl Baumgartner
12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Things that make you go hmmmmm. six lawmakers withdrew their support of SOPA and it's sister bill PIPA today. seems the message was heard by some But Lamar Smith had better make sure that land he owns between here and Austin is cleared out because he's going to be going back to farming real soon if he doesn't wise up. The only ones who want to play his game are in California and the jacka$$ is a Texas representative. He'd better start worrying about what Texans want or move to California!
Not Here
8
just want my account deleted
Yeah, well typical govt.. protecting big business interests preventing natural growth & adaptation.. not allowing things to change with the times..hell they might as well just write them a big check too with the taxpayers money just like they did with the corrupt bankers! Well let me tell you I got something to share with them & I don't need no button to do it!!
Cheryl Baumgartner
12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
It's amazing how unimportant this issue is. Kind of reminds me how unconcerned people were about some of the elements of Homeland Security. The same people who ignored it before it became law are now whining because they get treated like criminals at the airport.
Anon E.
12
Internet Ninja
It amazes me how very few people seem to be concerned with issues like this and net neutrality etc. Good straight to the point article pplcheryl63
Cheryl Baumgartner
12
Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
I agree with you. But when you look at who is behind this bill you see it really have nothing to do with Piracy but protecting the interests of a handful of Media and entertainment giants. This bill would in effect make everyone who hits a share this button a felon. There are already anti-piracy bills on the books, Enforce them!
Not Here
8
just want my account deleted
The most ridiculous aspect, if you don't want your stuff shared DON'T PUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES DESIGNED TO ENABLE SHARING!