31 replies to this topic

[Bakuda]

A new bill that was introduced to the House of Representatives last month is being debated today. This bill, the Online Piracy Act, would essentially replace the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. It forces internet service providers to block access to sites if the domain is even suspected of hosting copyrighted matierial - without trial. Also, payment companies (like Paypal and Mastercard) and advertising agencies have to stop all services to these sites once blacklisted. The bill also makes streaming unauthorized material a felony. The bill has much support from Hollywood and big businesses, but is opposed by many large internet companies including Google, Facebook, Ebay, and Yahoo.

See for yourself what this bill's all about...here's some links:
Washington Post - published last month

Washington Post - published this morning

Wikipedia

The Bill itself (PDF)

[RedAuthar]

While I don't approve of Piracy, this is pretty messed up. In America, we have the right to face our accusers and the right defend ourselves.

[Bakuda]

Agreed. I'd be stupid to say that there's no problem. Piracy is a huge problem but this simply isn't the solution.

[ZanetheWolf]

Okay. From what I'VE heard is that it's not doing what everyone thinks! I have ignored it forever, (and the bill appeared before last month.) and now it's come here. I believe that posting a video of "Sonic Generations" won't be illegal or whatever. In short, it's worded stupidly. That's what i've heard, but i don't know. I'm not reading 78 pages.

[RedAuthar]

They make them that long so you DON'T read it all and miss details.

[Ann Chovi]

I already signed the petition against this nonsense- it's far too open ended and I can see it getting abused like nothing else if it were to be passed. It's just not the solution to the piracy problem, and would end up hurting far more than helping I think. :/

[DBoyWheeler]

When it comes to controversial issues like this, one of my YouTube friends, named JuryDutySummons, is able to keep a cool head on it. And also likes to do Let's Play videos.

Here's what he said about it:

That appears to be about "H.R.3261" - According to opencongress: "This bill would establish a system for taking down websites that the Justice Department determines to be dedicated to copyright infringment."

Also

"This bill combines two separate Senate bills -- S.968 and S.978 -- into one big House bill."

So as far as it's impact on YouTube's game-casting community goes, it will have limited to no impact.

However, there is reason to be concerned that this would give the DOJ the ability to enact censorship in a limited, but real way. They would be able to demand that sites like facebook and search engines like google remove links to websites they deem are solely for the infringement of copyrights....

I believe this bill is specifically targeting thepiratebay, isohunt, and other bittorrent sites.

The panicky language on americancensorship.org is silly and over the top, but the bill is real and I do oppose it.

I went to PopVox and voiced my opposition of it. As I said to the congresspeople: "Not all BitTorrent sites are piracy sites. Some of them are legit, or at least have permission from the copyright holder. You may want to tweak this just a wee bit. There are ways of combating piracy without sacrificing free speech."

[Add on]

Also, one of my friends on YouTube, Idachan, had this to say:

I'm going to be really nice about this. This whole SOPA thing? You know, the SCARY bill that will destroy the Internet? Yeah, it's not gonna pass. It's going to get shot down at one point due to it being a violation of free speech. Sure, it's got the potential to pass since it's just a bill, but... to borrow a quote from a good friend of mine: "They [bills like SOPA] also get killed a lot because the question is asked 'How will this bill be enforced?' and the answer comes 'Lol I dunno!'"

[chief]

Interesting little bit on this. The day after a Wiki and some other big sites preformed a internet blackout the US shut down Megaupload and ordered the owners (who were in New Zealand to be arrested. 4 in all.

[RedAuthar]

Uh...can they do that?

[chief]

As long as they have a extradition (Im sure I spelled that wrong) treaty with the other country they can ask the other country (in this case New Zealand) to arrest and send those arrested to America for charges.

There is actually another case going on right now where a British teen was arrested and is being sent to America because his website linked to copywrited material. He is actually having his legal costs covered by some billionaire because of how stupid the mess is.

You can find more information on the British kid here, as well as interesting stuff about who supported pirate sites just a year or better ago.

[ZanetheWolf]

Are you kidding me?! Just because of the internet?! WTF!? I swear, the government is the worst part of America. For one thing, IT'S NOT COPYRIGHT WHEN YOU POST A VIDEO SHOWING FOOTAGE FROM A VIDEO GAME!!!! You own the product, not the rights to the company, engine, whatever! It's the same with everything like that!

..............i'm lost. Did i post for nothing?

[furrykef]

a extradition (Im sure I spelled that wrong)

The irony is you spelled it right but used "a" instead of "an".

[Reed Teran]

After the freedom I have to view videos banned in my Heimatland, NOW THEY'RE GONNA GET BANNED IN THIS COUNTRY TOO?!
No offennse, but your older Americans are nothing but fools! Why let a buncha old people talk about something they didn't grow up with?! Let us voice our opinion!
....maybe I shoulda immigrated to Canada instead.

[RedAuthar]

I'm beginning to think so.

[acstrife]

Ugh this again? Didn't a version of this fail 6 years ago?

None is gonna stand for this the people of the US are heavily against it and the 4 big internet corporations hate it. I doubt this will happen.

[RedMenace]

After the freedom I have to view videos banned in my Heimatland, NOW THEY'RE GONNA GET BANNED IN THIS COUNTRY TOO?!
No offennse, but your older Americans are nothing but fools! Why let a buncha old people talk about something they didn't grow up with?! Let us voice our opinion!
....maybe I shoulda immigrated to Canada instead.

Listening to the youth? Madness! We need those elders who have accumulated the wisdom needed to take advantage of us all.

[RedAuthar]

...My Grandma can't even figure out her TV remote.

[RedMenace]

Yer gunna hafta clue me in on what that is, son.

[RedAuthar]

Exactly.

[MoKat]

I swear, the government is the worst part of America.

Well, one of the worst parts; Hollywood/MPAA is another.

at least SOPA/PIPA have been "indefinitely" postponed.

But I seriously doubt they're gone for good....
5 reasons why SOPA, PROTECT-IP and other legislative idiocy will never die