Wikipedia and Others "Black Out" Sites in Protest of Piracy and IPR Bills
On January 18, 2012, several Web sites, including Wikipedia (English), Reddit, and Boing Boing, are participating in a “black out” of their services to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261, SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (S. 968, PIPA), intellectual property rights legislation that is pending before Congress. Instead of providing their usual content, the Web sites are providing information on SOPA and PIPA and links to contact Congress.
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Google is also protesting SOPA and PIPA by blacking out its banner and providing a link for those opposing SOPA and PIPA to contact Congress. However, the Google Web site can still be used to search during this period. OpenCongress.org has also limited access to its content in protest of SOPA and PIPA.
White House Outlines Position on Online Piracy Legislation
In a blog post, the White House outlined its position on online piracy legislation, noting that "any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by dynamic [U.S.] businesses large and small." The Administration states that it will continue to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis on legislation that provides new tools needed in the global fight against piracy and counterfeiting, while vigorously defending an open Internet based on the values of free expression, piracy, security, and innovation." Several press sources have interpreted the White House position as opposition to SOPA and PIPA.
Senate and House May Further Consider PIPA, SOPA
The Senate has scheduled consideration of PIPA on January 24, 2012, although press reports indicate that this has been delayed. The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to resume its mark up of SOPA in February 2012 (the committee began its mark up of SOPA in mid-December 2011, but did not complete it).
Six Republican Senators Urge Senate Majority Leader to Delay PIPA Consideration
On January 13, 2012, six Republican Senators from the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) expressing concern with Reid’s decision to limit debate and proceed with consideration of PIPA on January 24, 2012. The Senators urge that adequate time be provided to properly analyze and resolve concerns with the legislation to the best extent possible.
White House blog post available here