Important: SOPA and PIPA

[cambgull]

Not sure if any of you have seen the big internet blackout today. Many websites including Wikipedia, Google, Reddit and at least 40 others have blacked out part of their websites to protest against 2 bills which would effectively allow websites worldwide to be instantly closed down for linking to any copyrighted material (not just illegal things either, this can mean posting a link to the BBC website as an example) without any warning.

This could effect us greatly and put all of our Admins and Mod's work and money getting this forum to where it is now, to waste in the space of seconds. Realistically, our little part of the internet could probably go unnoticed but it is still not worth the risk. However, larger sites we all use every day such as Wikipedia, YouTube (and pretty much EVERY other website on the net which has music or videos) and many others will be effected.

My request is simple, we all sign the petition link below as we need to wipe out these ridiculous rules before they ever reach fruition.

For more info, visit here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia: ... Learn_more

To sign the petition, visit here:

https://donate.mozilla.org/page/s/sopa-pipa-petition

[happytorq]

You're concentrating on the negative,

PIPA has a great backside

[cambgull]

You're concentrating on the negative,

PIPA has a great backside

Bah dum cha!

[Louis]

I really cannot see this being passed. I have signed the petition and would be grateful if others can do the same please but please do not worry I don't give up without a fight.

[Southampton Gull]

It's an absolutely ridiculous notion, what they're proposing is going to totally change the internet as we all know it should they succeed in getting this passed.

I put this on my Facebook and had little response, I'm not sure how many are actually aware what this Act proposes.

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[cambgull]

I think the biggest problem is that people don't seem to care because they don't take the time to read it.

It's essentially the difference between having the internet as it currently is, and having a select few websites which are factual and do absolutely everything to the letter of the law. Forums would end up dead because there will be certain things people can't talk about and can't post links to. Purposefully too, it doesn't allow websites to give a blanket permission to link to them, it has to be individual for each link intended to be used.

It's an absolutely ridiculous scam which they're hoping would sneak through without being noticed so they can control everyone, pretty much the entire world.

[happytorq]

The pro-Sopa group (mainly consisting of 'copyright owners') have been paying to have TV ads shown in the past few weeks banging the "copyright theft kills American jobs" drum. I don't think anybody can really dispute that doing something about copyright infringement is a good idea, but the provision in these acts were way too heavy handed. It's like decided that the sentence for trying to pick up a good-looking woman in a club is having your manhood removed with a guillotine.

And...*wince*

Anyway, I can't see either of these ever getting passed because there's Constitutional concerns; aside from the obvious 1st Amendment violation, the US Constitution explicitly disallows 'unreasonable search and seizure' (4th amendment) which would be allowed under this proposed laws.

They'll have to go away and try again.

[cambgull]

The very basis of the idea is a good one and in reality, it'll be unlikely that it'll ever be used against forums and random websites posting a link to another site. The problem is the fact they can do whatever they want and big business can just become the internet police.

It's probably on purpose so they can come back with other suggestions which aren't so bad and get them passed.

[Glostergull]

This is only another step towards Big Brother. The concept not the C4 trashy show.
If this really had a chance of getting enacted then it would kill any new talent trying to get through. They use the internet a lot now as they have no hope of a decent contract with record companies.
It smacks to me a lot of those who have it desperatly trying all they can to keep it and build on it thereby denying any of us a share.
Just like some of these reality shows. Past celebs from the Double Z list who can't cope with being out of the public eye and will prostitute themselves to any degree neccassary to keep their fame and furtune.
There are any number of examples out there, The Hamiltons. Old comics. Past soap actors. Trojan. News readers etc. Need I go on.
Now build it up to the level of Power brokers who are deperate top control who we are. what we think. How we act. Where we go. What we spend out money on. and before long we would be living in a world with striking simularity to the Logans run.