I am not a political activist. I discuss business and technology, not politics. In fact, I usually go to great lengths to avoid politically charged discussions on this site. However, there are times when political issues encroach, effect and sometimes even dictate the course of events that take place in this industry and the industry itself. In this case, a political discussion becomes inevitable and unavoidable. Such is the case with a bill currently on a fast track to becoming law that will affect the Internet and the IT industry, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
As a media writer, producer, IP and copyright owner myself, I certainly believe in and respect the rule of copyright law. However, the proposed legislation of SOPA is going way too far.
On the surface, SOPA seems to be a good thing. Piracy is wrong, and a law that proposes to fight it sounds very noble. But, as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And if this bill passes, that is likely where the the Internet and the freedom of commerce, speech and expression that thrive on it, will go.
If you don’t know what SOPA is, read up on it now. I have, and it’s scary stuff. I encourage everyone to find out more about it and then call or write your representatives in Congress. You may be surprised to find out how much more informed you are about it than they are, since it is common knowledge that most of them vote according to to the influence of the lobbyists who buy them and seldom even read the bills for which they cast their votes.
PROTECT IP Act Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.