Many of you may have already noticed several blackouts of prominent websites as well as various references to the Protect IP Act and, more recently, SOPA. However, the timing is crucial for us to take action to do our part in stopping this act from infringing upon our rights as well as severely crippling the vast potential the internet has. Despite its drawbacks, the internet is a vital tool “and vibrant medium and [the U.S.] government is tampering with its basic structure so people will maybe buy more Hollywood movies. But Hollywood movies don’t get grassroots candidates elected, they don’t overthrow corrupt regimes. And the entire entertainment industry doesn’t even contribute that much to [the American] economy, the internet does all these and more.” [Fight for the Future]
The bills have already been introduced in the Senate and the House and are currently moving through congress. In efforts to ‘protect’ creativity, the bills are giving the government and entertainment corporations free reign of the internet, endowing them with the power to censor the net as they see fit. Furthermore, these powers are legitimized simply by the judgments and interpretations of the government and corporations who may soon have the ability to censor entire websites purely by convincing a jury that the site facilitates, in some way, copyright infringement.
The repercussions of the bills, if passed, are immense. Things like sharing a video or music link, using sites such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Hypem, and several others, which many of us tend to do quite often, would be considered illegal if they include copyrighted material. Instead of better controlling rogue websites which do not follow copyright regulations, and which are often run outside of the United States and Canada, these bills will cripple the internet as well as its users. Instead of protecting creativity and the music industry, the proposed bills will actually stifle it, after all so many independent artists, musicians and bloggers use the internet as the primary outlet for their creative views.
The proposed bills have severe implications, not only for the United States but for the world. The internet has touched almost every last corner of the earth, and everyone who uses it will be affected including, of course users in Canada. SOPA would have the power to shut down websites in Canada for copyright infringement “even if they aren’t running afoul of Canadian laws.” [Montreal Gazette]
If you are reading this blog it is safe to assume that you use the internet. If you use the internet, no matter how often, you will be directly affected if these bills are passed. As an avid blogger, musician, as well as an American citizen, I am particularly invested in this issue. Please, inform yourselves about the dangers of these bills and do your part to spread the word. Don’t be on the wrong side of history by remaining silent at such an important time.
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