SOPA web piracy battle gets louder
- 12 years ago
Hundreds of protesters rallying in front of the offices of New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand- calling for an end to the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act or SOPA, and the Protect IP Act, also known as PIPA.
The bills target overseas websites that traffic in stolen content- and have been a priority for entertainment companies, publishers and other groups with an interest in curbing online piracy that they say costs them billions of dollars.
But opponents say the overly broad legislation will have serious consequences:
SOUNDBITE: PROTESTER (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"If they are successful, they will not only stifle innovation and investment in emerging technology companies in New York and elsewhere, they will irrevocably damage the architecture on the internet so as to embolden censorship around the world."
SOUNDBITE: ROBERT SCHONBERGER, PROTESTER (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"Honestly, the United States has been the leader in the world for allowing free communication. It would be a real tragedy if that changed."
SOUNDBITE: IAN BASSIN, PROTESTER (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"I think it sends the wrong signal to give the government the ability to shut down websites. The web should be a free medium that promotes democracy around the world."
The protest comes after Wikipedia, the world's free online encyclopedia went dark on Wednesday - and other websites like Google put black censorship bars on their sites to show their opposition to the legislation.
Bobbi Rebell, Reuters
The bills target overseas websites that traffic in stolen content- and have been a priority for entertainment companies, publishers and other groups with an interest in curbing online piracy that they say costs them billions of dollars.
But opponents say the overly broad legislation will have serious consequences:
SOUNDBITE: PROTESTER (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"If they are successful, they will not only stifle innovation and investment in emerging technology companies in New York and elsewhere, they will irrevocably damage the architecture on the internet so as to embolden censorship around the world."
SOUNDBITE: ROBERT SCHONBERGER, PROTESTER (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"Honestly, the United States has been the leader in the world for allowing free communication. It would be a real tragedy if that changed."
SOUNDBITE: IAN BASSIN, PROTESTER (ENGLISH) SAYING:
"I think it sends the wrong signal to give the government the ability to shut down websites. The web should be a free medium that promotes democracy around the world."
The protest comes after Wikipedia, the world's free online encyclopedia went dark on Wednesday - and other websites like Google put black censorship bars on their sites to show their opposition to the legislation.
Bobbi Rebell, Reuters