SOPA/PIPA protestors finally heard; votes delayed indefinitely

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After Wednesday's massive online protest, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on Twitter that Tuesday's vote on the Protect IP Act (PIPA) will be delayed. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith followed him by announcing that the committee wouldn't consider the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) until "wider agreement" was reached.

This follows many of the co-sponsors of those pieces of legislation withdrawing their support during and shortly after the protests.

Smith welcomed further input, writing in a press release:

“I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy. It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products. 

[...]

“The Committee will continue work with both copyright owners and Internet companies to develop proposals that combat online piracy and protect America’s intellectual property.  We welcome input from all organizations and individuals who have an honest difference of opinion about how best to address this widespread problem.  The Committee remains committed to finding a solution to the problem of online piracy that protects American intellectual property and innovation.”

 

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Ruth Suehle is the community leadership manager for Red Hat's Open Source and Standards team. She's co-author of Raspberry Pi Hacks (O'Reilly, December 2013) and a senior editor at GeekMom, a site for those who find their joy in both geekery and parenting.

4 Comments

The question is: really how long? Hopefully for a long.

SOPA/PIPA protestors finally heard .... WRONG

Should be ...SOPA/PIPA protestors finally lobbied by the grassroots.

This is how American politics works. All policies are back room deals and/or lobbied.

Now, there's a cynical view of government. I agree and approve!

Note: Please read my own article on this subject at http://qatechtips.blogspot.com/2012/01/are-we-being-soft-sopad.html

I received an e-mail from a friend that claimed that the SOPA / PIPA battle had been won.

My reply? <strong>BS!!!</strong>

At best, it is a <u>strategic withdrawal</u>, hoping we go away in the meantime.

If you REALLY think they give a rats-a$$, you'd better think again.

These kazul in Washington have been running the show their own way for a long, long time. And they're not going to give up ANY part of their supposed right to do whatever they damn-well please without a fight.

The only thing missing from the Fascist States of America is a leader with a small mustache.

If you don't believe me, go look at this YouTube video of the first film from the famous Why We Fight series from WW-2 where the fascist states of Germany and Italy were laid bare. The scary part is the uncanny resemblance between Germany of the 1930's and the Unites States of today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBtdTiHsQqI

Watch it well, and fear.

Cynically yours,

Jim (JR)

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