PIPA/SOFA - They Must Really...

They must really think we are stupid or something. I certainly don't know all the specifics about these two bills but I do know this... One of the things these bills claim is that file sharing web sites that reside outside the U.S. are immune to our laws and therefore cannot be shut down or have their servers or web sites seized for putting up and hosting pirated content like movies, games, software etc.


The pipa/sofa bills would allow them to shut down any site that links to another site that has pirated content.


This is important for a couple of reasons, but, the most important things I think are this...


1. United States federal law enforcement agencies seized servers in the Netherlands. We all know what part our "community" has in the Netherlands.


2. Why in the hell are they telling us they cannot shut these web sites down without having pipa and sofa, when in reality, that is exactly what they did just do, they went after people and servers in other countries without these laws.


Also, some of the videos we have posted in the "what are you listening to" thread have been since deleted by google. This is one I posted, you try to play it and you get a copyright violation message. http://forum.growkind.com/showpost.php?p=500557&postcount=525


On 1/19/12 one of the largest file sharing sites on the web was shut down.


The following material is quoted from LA Times Story Link


"In a joint statement, the Justice Department and FBI called the action among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States."


"Four of MegaUpload's operators have been arrested in New Zealand, while three more remain at large. The seven each face a maximum of 55 years in prison."


And the following is from this link


No safe harbor for you


Going after Megaupload, one of the most popular sites in the world and one that uses a surprising amount of corporate bandwidth, might seem a strange choice. (As an example of its scale, Megaupload controlled 525 servers in Virginia alone and had another 630 in the Netherlands—and many more around the world.)

 

RAGE. Don't walk RUN. Al Gore must be pissed folks be fucking with his internet...

 

The internet pressure has paid off to a degree. They are pulling back


on SOPA ( for now ) The Obama-bot has threatened it with a veto.


(Election year posturing anyone ? )


Probably means they will try and re work it when the heat dies down.


PIPA is still alive and well in the Senate with the Pres still saying he


is opposed.


Much remains to be seen and I agree ,with them taking down Mega upload,


what the fuck they need with SOPA. ?


The net is the last bastion of freedom of expression and news can travel


world wide in a flash. That is why the government wants to be able


to control it. They don't like it when they can't call the tune.


Fuck, they are just taking away rights in an incremental fashion.


I trust them not one little bit.


Rant over. For the moment.


BBTasssit:

 

Moved to politics.


All the news outlets made it out like the blackout was what killed this bill. I don't believe it. The White House said they would probably veto it, and some of its sponsors had already pulled out, weeks prior to the blackout day.

 

I've decided I'm no longer going to allow myself to become angry with the kinda bull shit our government pulls. I'm simply going to smile when an angry mob storms the white house and topples the government, which of course is exactly what's going to happen in due time.


I don't understand politicians. The only reason they ever do anything is to serve their own needs, as opposed to serving our needs as they should since they work for you and I. They're already getting away with corruption, greed, and just downright shitheadedness in the first degree. How much is enough? Why can the government not be happy with how much they already rape everyone? I mean it's pretty hands down, they're getting too big for their britches, and getting even more so at an alarming pace.


I guess greed really does have no limits and just fuels its own furnace. So I smile, because I am amused by the irony that exactly what they're doing will eventually be the end of them, and it's only a matter of time.


With regards to PIPA and SOPA: fuck you, big money corporations. If you don't like what's happening with the internet and digital media then get the fuck off the internet. 1) You can't have your cake and eat it too, at the expense of 99.6% of the population so that you .4 greedy percent can line your pockets. 2) The DARPA net was created for free exchange of information and ideas, not to further your capitalistic war mongering fucking bull shit greedy motivations.


I wish I had any proponent of those bills standing in this room with me right now so I could spit directly in their eyeball.

 

Keep the pressure on. Don't just talk about it. Do something. Petitions are....eh. Write your senator a letter, they will read it. I did. I got this back today. The fight is not over, not by a long shot.


Dear Kim :


Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the "Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act," commonly known as the "PROTECT IP Act."


The "PROTECT IP Act" (S. 968) gives copyright and trademark owners and the U.S. Department of Justice authority to take action against websites "dedicated to infringing activities." These are websites that have "no significant use other than engaging in, enabling, or facilitating" copyright infringement, the sale of goods with a counterfeit trademark, or the evasion of technological measures designed to protect against copying. I'm sorry to say that theft of intellectual property is a major problem and has primarily adversely affected the American motion picture industry.


I voted for the "PROTECT IP Act" when it came before the Senate Judiciary Committee, but I always had reservations about several aspects of the bill.


First, I oppose censorship and am working to make sure the bill protects First Amendment rights to free speech. In addition, as far back as 2010, I raised concerns about the website blocking provision. I was pleased Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announced this provision would be removed from the bill. I was also concerned that the overbroad language of the bill could encompass non-pirate websites and filed an amendment to fix this problem. Finally, I worked to alleviate undue burdens on Internet advertising services and to minimize the risk of litigation on growing technology businesses.


On May 26, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the "PROTECT IP Act" by voice vote for consideration by the full Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced on January 20, 2012, that he was postponing a procedural vote on this bill. I believe postponing this vote was the right thing to do. In order to move forward, the bill must be changed to prevent it from harming legitimate businesses and Internet users in the process of protecting copyrights and trademarks. In other words, the bill must be fair and balanced.


In mid-January, I convened a meeting in San Francisco with Google, Yahoo! and Facebook to hear valid concerns of high-tech businesses and public interest groups. I have spoken again with leaders at Google about a path forward on this bill. My goal is to do everything I can to bring all sides together – including copyright owners, high-tech and my colleagues – to produce a fair and balanced bill.


As you may be aware, Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) has introduced the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (H.R. 3261), which is similar to the "PROTECT IP Act", in the House of Representatives. Please know I will keep your thoughts in mind should the Senate proceed to a vote on either of these bills.


Once again, thank you for sharing your views. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.


Wishing you a happy 2012.


Sincerely yours,


Dianne Feinstein


United States Senator

 

you senator didn't read your letter. an aid's inturn looked at it returned an appropriate form letter and filed it in the circular filing cabinet