PROTECT-IP

In the aftermath of Congress delaying further action on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA), there’s been a rush to summarize what the debate might mean for the future of technology and copyright policy. Naturally, we have a few thoughts.

One thing that is clear from the massive blowback is that the “business-as-usual” approach to policymaking is unlikely to produce results (at least not the results desired and expected by major industry trade groups). Unfortunately, some folks seem to be missing that point entirely, and are clinging to the idea that the SOPA/PIPA kerfluffle was simply Big Content vs. Silicon Valley.

We beg to differ. read more

Congress’s top 5 tech questions for 2012 (more than just SOPA)

By Derrick Harris

GigaOM

January 19, 2012

The impending Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act have the Internet in a tizzy, but Congress has a lot more to think about on the technology front than just intellectual property. Even digging below the surface of the SOPA debate, you see that the issues at play — such as defining Internet borders and squelching innovation on the web — have broad effects that span everything from the digital divide to international commerce. read more

If Congress wants jobs, it can't want SOPA

By Derrick Harris

GigaOM

January 22, 2012

Although the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act have been shelved, their staunchest congressional supporters are still criticizing the opposition, claiming the bills would save thousands of jobs. However, these claims look like little more than empty rhetoric.

The entertainment industry — profit-hungry and change-averse — is already its own worst enemy. Meanwhile, the Internet economy that bills such as SOPA and PIPA threaten to derail is a potential job creator the likes of which Hollywood could ever be… read more

FMC on Congress Hitting "Pause" on SOPA & PIPA

The following statement is attributed to Casey Rae-Hunter, Deputy Director for Future of Music Coalition:

“Future of Music Coalition is pleased that Congress has hit pause on controversial policy proposals to address the issue of intellectual property (IP) infringement. It is crucial that lawmakers recognize and understand the legitimate concerns of a broad array of stakeholders — including thousands of copyright owners — who have reservations about certain provisions in the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT-IP (PIPA). read more

FMC Statement on Intellectual Property Bills "Reset"

January 20, 2012

The following statement is attributed to Casey Rae-Hunter, Deputy Director for Future of Music Coalition:

Anti-SOPA Movement Unites Trent Reznor, Opera Singers

By Marc Perton

The Consumerist/Consumer Reports

January 18, 2012

While SOPA and PIPA have the support of every major record label, the unions representing performing artists, and the organizations that manage licensing for musicians, some performers, writers and artists have stood up against the bills, including MGMT, OK Go, Trent Reznor and the members of OPERA America. (And Neil Gaiman, too!)…

Separately, a coalition including the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the National Alliance for Media Art and Culture, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, OPERA America, and the Theatre Communications Group, sent its own letter to the Senate, expressing similar concerns…. read more

Why We're Not Blacking Out

You may have noticed the broad array of internet platforms that have “gone dark” today to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA). Some of the sites participating in the blackout include Wikipedia, Metafilter, BoingBoing, WordPress and many, many more. read more

Wikipedia, Google blackout sites to protest SOPA

By Declan McCullagh

CNET

January 17, 2012

Three of the Internet’s most popular destinations—Google, Wikipedia, and Craigslist—launched an audacious experiment in political activism this evening by urging their users to protest a pair of Hollywood-backed copyright laws. read more

Can Torrents Go Legit?

[This post was authored by Scott Oranburg] read more

Intrigue and Updates on IP Bills

If you’re hep to the internet, you’ve probably come across a wave of information — and even outrage — around the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). This controversial legislation has the stated goal of curbing foreign “rogue websites,” but the initial version of the bill could have done way more than that. Hence the widespread disapproval. read more

SOPA & PIPA: What are the Takeaways?

Congress’s top 5 tech questions for 2012 (more than just SOPA)

If Congress wants jobs, it can't want SOPA

FMC on Congress Hitting "Pause" on SOPA & PIPA

FMC Statement on Intellectual Property Bills "Reset"

Anti-SOPA Movement Unites Trent Reznor, Opera Singers

Why We're Not Blacking Out

Wikipedia, Google blackout sites to protest SOPA

Can Torrents Go Legit?

Intrigue and Updates on IP Bills

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