A Review About SOPA

A review about SOPA



Recently I read a news update about SOPA and found out that Wikipedia and Google are among the big sites that support the protest on anti-piracy bill. What then is SOPA? It is an acronym of Stop Online Piracy Act also know as House Bill 3261 that was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chair Representative Lamar S. Smith  and a bipartisan group of 12 initial co-sponsors in the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011. Once enacted, the bill will protect the intellectual property market and corresponding industry, jobs and revenue and will grant the U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders the authority to fight against those who will violate the law. It will also authorize the U.S. Department of Justice to seek court orders against websites outside U.S. jurisdiction accused of copyright infringement.

Well, for all I know there already exists anti-piracy bill but only to found out that the debate about it is scheduled this month of January 2012 but Chairman Smith had it resumed in February 2012.

What is the goal of SOPA?
  • to protect intellectual property content creators
  • to protect against counterfeit drugs

As a blogger and owner of several websites and blog sites, I started thinking if I violated the anti-piracy law? Most of the images that I uploaded in my sites came from Google search with the thought and idea that some of those were copyrighted. Is it illegal? Perhaps yes, if SOPA passes, some minor non-compliance like this will be handled.

It is also feared that websites that host user contents would definitely shutdown like Flicker, Virmeo and Etsy if the bill becomes a law.




Among the big sites that oppose with the passing of the bill are the following:

  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • eBay
  • Mozilla Corporation
  • Reddit
  • Wikimedia Foundation
  • Roblox
Wikipedia is planning a blackout while Google will add links to SOPA-related information in its main page.

Rep. Smith lambasted Wikipedia for its decision to blackout in protest of SOPA:

“It is ironic that a website dedicated to providing information is spreading misinformation about the Stop Online Piracy Act,” reads the statement. “The bill will not harm Wikipedia, domestic blogs or social networking sites. This publicity stunt does a disservice to its users by promoting fear instead of facts. Perhaps during the blackout, Internet users can look elsewhere for an accurate definition of online piracy.” (Source: mashable)

Do you think Rep. Smith's comments towards Wikipedia too harsh? Please feel free to comment below and share your own thoughts.

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5 Comments

  1. Well they have a good aim, but they are trying to cause harm on the net. That is the problem

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  2. Precisely you are right Taiwo, but things would no longer be easier if the law will be imposed most especially for those who cannot afford for the fees of the copyrighted materials if there is any. And since the bill is so broad and did not define specifically, nobody yet knows what comes after when that bill is passed.

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