More And More People Speak Up Against SOPA

And Now... Back To Your Regularly Scheduled Posts (i.e., Not Just SOPA)

from the crazy-days dept

Wed, Nov 16th 2011 4:21pm — Mike Masnick

I recognize that all of the posts today have been about SOPA and the House Judiciary Committee hearings on SOPA. Some of you liked this. Some of you did not. We've never done anything like that before, focusing just on one issue for the entire day, but it is a big issue, one that I feel strongly about, one that I think impacts all of you... and one that there was a lot going on about. We still have plenty more to say about SOPA, and there will still be lots of posts about SOPA (especially as the bill continues through this process), but hopefully we'll be going back to a more balanced schedule, with stories on lots of other topics as well... Thanks for taking part in what has been an exhausting day, but for providing vigorous and interesting discussions and debates on the topic. Also, thanks to those who spoke out. Via the American Censorship Day effort, we've seen reports of over 23,000 emails per hour being sent to Congress, and other reports claiming nearly four phone calls per second going into Congress. Lots of you spoke out to Congress. Let's hope Congress hears.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: sopa, techdirt

83 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Paul L (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:32pm

It was an important day and I, for one, appreciated the coverage!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- LyleD, 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:27pm
  
  Re:
  Anyone know if the hearing videos are available somewhere?
  
  got a link please?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Mike Masnick (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:39pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Anyone know if the hearing videos are available somewhere?
    
    got a link please?
    
    Will probably go up here at some point. Not sure how long it takes them to get it ready, but they've said it will be posted.
    
    http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/hear_11162011.html
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - LyleD, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:28pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Thanks Mike, for the link and the coverage.. I know I'm just a dirty foreigner about these parts, but I like to keep up with what's happening over there, if only to gauge the level of crap coming my way later on...
      
      Btw, talking as a foreigner, I just read some of the bill itself..
      
      103.(a)(1) - An `Internet site is dedicated to theft of U.S. property' if--
      (A) it is an Internet site, or a portion thereof, that is a U.S.-directed site and is used by users within the United States; and...
      
      So lol.. all we have to do is block US IP's from using the 'infringing' sites, and SOPA has no teeth.. It can't touch the site or direct payment processors/advertisers to stop working with them :0
      
      That's one hellava walled garden you're building.. With 95% of the worlds population on this side, it might be worth just blocking you in from our side too.. Will cause us a lot less hassle...
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Jay (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:00pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        It's the DNS hacking that is more problematic.
        
        You can block IPs, but that doesn't mean your site may not be taken down without warning. See also, the Rojadirecta example.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Donnicton, 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:54pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Looking for links to video content online are you....?
    
    That sounds like some unamerican activities there. Almost...piratical...
    
    It's high time I consulted the big book of mpaarthyism on this...
    
    Let's hope nothing has to happen to Techdirt here, it'd be a real shame...
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Aerilus, 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:58pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "mpaarthyism" this made me laugh
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:33pm

Every single website I frequent has been hosting vigorous discussion of SOPA today, and Techdirt has been supplying large chunks of the ammunition. Thank you for being such a terrific aggregator of SOPA information, Mike. You're providing an invaluable service as these debates unfold.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- The Incoherent One (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:57pm
  
  Re:
  More proof that not all ACs are bad. We could use a few more like you.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Dave, 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:11pm
  
  Re:
  Agreed. The harms created by this bastardized legislation deserve all the attention you can give them.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2011 @ 8:02am
  
  Re:
  The correspondent on CNN Headline News this morning mentioned the bill, and to my surprise even said how people in the media have been super critical of the Chinese for doing the same sort of censorship.
  
  So there may be hope yet. Or she'll get yelled at and won't make that mistake again...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:41pm

It was good for me
Was it good for you?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ikaracolt (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:50pm

sopa is sufficiently important to warrant such attention and the coverage here has been excellent. almost too much for the shills to keep up with...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2011 @ 5:19am
  
  Re:
  I kinda like to see this as Mike stresstesting the shills =P, actually making them work for their money.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
John Doe, 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:55pm

I appreciate the coverage
I for one appreciate the extensive coverage over the last week or so. This is the most important issue of our time with regards to the internet. This is probably the single biggest attack on the internet since it's inception. I am sure it won't be the last. We cannot give an inch or they will take a mile, as evidence by this bill.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The Incoherent One (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:56pm

I wrote, called, signed, and e-mailed. I yelled at my computer screen, and took aggression out on the keyboard. I enjoyed the coverage, and all of the information from within. I got very little work done today, but such is live. At least it was constructive rather than simple clicking around reddit.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Paul (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 4:56pm

Where is the reference
Also, thanks to those who spoke out. Via the American Censorship Day effort, we've seen reports of over 23,000 emails per hour being sent to Congress, and other reports claiming nearly four phone calls per second going into Congress.

Wow! Do you have a reference I can pass along for this?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:28pm
  
  Re: Where is the reference
  yeah, does he?
  
  I'd also like to see a cite for hundreds of thousands of calls going into Congress about SOPA.
  
  Not holding my breath on that one, lol
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Mike Masnick (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:42pm
    
    Re: Re: Where is the reference
    Considering that it was unavoidable on Tumblr, Reddit and other hugely popular sites -- and just seeing how much interest *we* got on this, the numbers are not at all surprising.
    
    Unfortunately, folks like you still don't understand the internet, and why it's a bad idea to mess with the internet. The internet can mess back with you.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
      
      Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:10pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
      The internet has already "messed with" me, you twisted piracy lover.
      
      karma is going to be such a sweet bitch.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Atkray (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 8:22pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        Entitlement much?
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Ben (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:43pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        The last person who said "karma is going to be such a sweet bitch" to me was a waitress I'd refused to tip due to shitty service.
        
        A day later she was fired due to apparently every other customer also complaining.
        
        You see, your comment is based on your opinion, which is subjective. That's why its wrong, and that's why you SOPA supporters are going to see that general public are undergoing their own 'Arab Spring' and will tolerate less and less of this shit in future.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2011 @ 4:52am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        "That's why its wrong, and that's why you SOPA supporters are going to see that general public are undergoing their own 'Arab Spring' and will tolerate less and less of this shit in future."
        
        That's a laugh. Comparing a bunch of dorks in the throes of nerd rage over being cut off from freeloading the latest sci-fi movie to those picking up guns and risking everything to oust dictators? Every last one of you is soft as butter and won't do shit.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Planespotter (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 5:25am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        Oh yeah how are those wars going? What's it like being stuck in Afghanistan 10 years after first sending in the troops, hows the tens of thousands of troops doing that served multiple tours of Iraq... and what was that for again? Oh yes, to liberate the people from opressive regimes who didn't allow the right to free speech, the right to peaceful protest, dictators who censored / filtered the internet and much more... oh, what these dictators did seems to be what your Government is trying to do.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - btrussell (profile), 18 Nov 2011 @ 5:57am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        If you wish to discard technology, then discard all of it.
        
        Don't make any recordings.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
      
      Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:12pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
      And you *still* haven't provided a validated citation, asshat.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
      
      Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:19pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
      The douchey face of reddit:
      
      http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/07/reddit-founder-arrested-for-excessive-jst or-downloads.ars
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Jay (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:24pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        Which has no reference to this story.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:29pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        Masnick is saying they are responsible for the spam to Congress.
        
        Check out this douche and what his freetard friends are suggesting:
        
        http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/meg8w/im_hoping_to_testify_before_congres s_on_thursday/
        
        Maybe one of you can explain to him that lying to Congress will result in him heading to Federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        G Thompson (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:23pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        Your lack of reading comprehension is guaranteed to place you in the running for a Darwin Award when you next read warning/danger signs.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - G Thompson (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:01pm
    
    Re: Re: Where is the reference
    for your education and Citation reference, and lets not forget your eating of humble pie.
    
    Tumblr has put together a phone call system that allowed any US resident to receive a call with talking points about SOPA and then it auto connects that person with their specific Congressional Representative.
    
    As David Karp posted on the staff tumblr a short while ago, usage of this service averaged 3.6 calls PER SECOND
    
    So I guess you can breathe now
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:59pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
      Yet that is nothing more in the end than an automated annoyance system, where people with little real interest end up pushing the button just to see what happens.
      
      I wonder what percentage of the users were under 18.
      
      I also wonder how many people were using US proxies to play "citizen for the day", or were running a LOIC version to jam dial.
      
      It seems sort of meaningless, sort of like those censorship losers who all send the same silly email to the FCC every time a player is overheard saying a bad word during a football game.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Aerilus, 16 Nov 2011 @ 11:04pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        "Yet that is nothing more in the end than an automated annoyance system" how is this different from anything else in politics. I get automated calls from candidates and political surveys. if politicians are OK using it to get attention from voters why cant voters use the same tactics to get attention from politicians?
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Richard (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:25am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
        Yet that is nothing more in the end than an automated annoyance system,
        
        I concluded some time ago that you A/C's were nothing more than an automated annoyance system.
        
        - but I see you struggling here.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:21pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Where is the reference
      usage of this service averaged 3.6 calls PER SECOND
      
      over a 5 minute period!
      
      LOL
      
      The guys statement is useless.
      
      Context is everything.
      
      A fact lost on the members of this blog every day.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike Masnick (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:37pm
  
  Re: Where is the reference
  Wow! Do you have a reference I can pass along for this?
  
  From talking to people involved with American Censorship Day and the calls were from the system Tumblr set up to make it easy for anyone to call Congress and protest.
  
  The response was massive.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Jay (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:26pm
  
  Re: Where is the reference
  Wow! Do you have a reference I can pass along for this?
  
  Torrentfreak has the numbers up.
  
  http://torrentfreak.com/stop-online-piracy-act-opposition-bombard-congress-111116/
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
MikeC (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:19pm

For the truth - follow the money
Those emails and calls would have been more effective it everyone had been a 5$ donation to some PAC that would actually represent an anti-SOPA type point of view. Since we know there are so few good politicians, I am sure such a PAC could probably use that money to lobby a few of the bad ones away from their current point of view.

It all comes down to buying influence (or good government) - odd how Eddy Murphy had it all right, but then not many watched "Distinguished Gentlemen" even for free.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104114/

MikeC
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Hephaestus (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 7:44am
  
  Re: For the truth - follow the money
  Next time Tumblr should set up a phone system that allows donations for lobbying congress.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:29pm

Its been more than a day of bitching about sopa
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

out_of_the_blue, 16 Nov 2011 @ 5:44pm

HA. "exhausting day", eh?
IF a little bit of watching TV and writing exhausts you, it's certain that you've never done a day of real work.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
  
  Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:15pm
  
  Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
  Yeah, it's hilarious that today was "exhausting" for him.
  
  Tilting at windmills and serial lying is hard work, isn't it Masnick?
  
  Today was a breeze for me, as I'm on the right side of the issue, and will soon have the redress I should have had years ago.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 7:19pm
    
    Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
    Yup, once you separate it all out, you realize that there wasn't much here:
    
    No matter how you rephrase it, the pirate sites and the content grifters whined and moaned, but in the end, it doesn't amount to much. They didn't put much on the table, and the biggest points against SOPA raised by Mastercard, who typically will work within whatever framework exists.
    
    I think this was pretty much a clear indication, that even with all the forces mustered, there were barely enough emails in a day to merit attenion, and certainly won't even make it up to one tenth of one percent of the voting population. I would say that there isn't all that much interest in this in the long run.
    
    Those who produce their own, legal content will never have an issue. Those who link to and provide access to that legal content will never have an issue. Those who insist on used the content of others without permission will be screwed, too bad for them. Your 10 years of grifting are over.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Samuel Abram (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 7:28pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
      Those who produce their own, legal content will never have an issue. Those who link to and provide access to that legal content will never have an issue.
      
      I produce my own legal content, and I have issues. Also these sites who provide "access to legal content" will be likely to come under the umbrella of SOPA:
      
      -Bandcamp
      -Dropbox
      -Rapidshare
      -Bigcartel
      
      They will be at risk because of the chance that someone will use their site for piracy, and yet shills like you say they "won't" have an issue. Go back to brownnose your legacy gatekeeper industry ya shills.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 7:31pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        No they won't.
        
        This is just more made-up FUD because you're worried you're going to lose you ability to rip off music and movies.
        
        Snore.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 7:44pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        You're adorable!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Samuel Abram (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 7:55pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        Click on my name. That's my web site.
        
        I'll be willing to bet my life savings that you still think I'm "ripping off music and movies".
        
        *sigh* Trying to Convince a Techdirt troll that he is wrong is like trying to convince a bigot of equality...
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 8:05pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        dude, shut up, please
        
        at first i was amused
        
        then i was tolerant
        
        now i'm just thoroughly tired and disgusted with the constant poor trolling attempts made the shills
        
        it's gone far beyond being the same garbage over and over, it's actually pretty disgusting
        
        you know something
        
        i WANT you to succeed
        
        because you're all so fucking stupid your own success is no more than an accelerate to your grave
        
        please, please carry on, win
        
        puh-leaze do, just die already, i'm so disgusted i wouldn't even do it for you, the copyright industry deserves to drown in it's own idiocy
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 8:07pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        Why do you care?
        
        Cuz you don't want to pay.
        
        game. set. match.
        
        Now fuck off, you greedy freetard.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Prisoner 201, 16 Nov 2011 @ 11:47pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        Assholes like you are annoying, regardless of anyones alledged inclination to aquire goods and/or services sans monetary compensation.
        
        Your posts do nothing but reinforcing my view of copyright maximalists as greedy, spoiled and slightly retarded. Not to mention uncivilized.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2011 @ 1:40am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        so says the greedy freetard...
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Butcherer79 (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:49am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        a quote from each of the three above comments:
        "Your posts do nothing but reinforcing my view of copyright maximalists as greedy, spoiled and slightly retarded. Not to mention uncivilized."
        "so says the greedy freetard..."
        "game. set. match."
        
        That about sums it up, you've just cited Prisoner 201's comment, Game set and match indeed - well done.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Hephaestus (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 7:50am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        "because you're all so fucking stupid your own success is no more than an acceleration to your grave"
        
        I have been saying this for a couple years now. Now I really want them to succeed in getting SOPA passed into law. They do not realize the unintended consequences to their own businesses.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Paul`, 17 Nov 2011 @ 12:02am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        Well, seeing as to date people have gone after websites like Rapidshare and blogspot for reasons pursuant to this discussion and the DMCA was the only thing that protected them in that case, I'm gonna have to ask you for some of your own evidence to refute Mike's claims.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:27pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        "They will be at risk because of the chance that someone will use their site for piracy, and yet shills like you say they "won't" have an issue. Go back to brownnose your legacy gatekeeper industry ya shills."
        
        You keep ignoring the basic issues, that sites that are not generally used for piracy are surely not going to get the bums rush for a single link or a single offending file. The internet concept of SOPA is to get after sites who make their living off of piracy, and don't take positive steps to avoid it.
        
        I wouldn't use rapidshare, as it is one of the most common sites for pirate content. I wouldn't use megaupload or similar sites either, they are cesspools.
        
        Perhaps the best way to explain it is that you should try to use sites that aren't obviously in the piracy game, and you won't have issues.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Prisoner 201, 17 Nov 2011 @ 12:01am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        Pro tip: I can upload infringing material to any site that allows any user generated content.
        
        More importantly, people like Anonymous can too. They can also send realistic-looking SOPA threat letters. And since there is no IP tracing snail mail, so it's even safer than LOIC.
        
        Even if it turns out no US company will use SOPA to cause problems for competitors (yeah right), can you say the same about all foreign companies that would like to get an edge on US competitors?
        
        Also, SOPA settlement threats is going to be the new patent trolling. "Pay up or we cut all your ads and payments processors for however long our lawyers can keep you in court".
        
        But I guess all that is acceptable collateral, as long as somone puts a blanket over The Pirate Bay.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Richard (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:34am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        You keep ignoring the basic issues, that sites that are not generally used for piracy are surely not going to get the bums rush for a single link or a single offending file.
        
        You mean that the law won't be so bad because it will only be enforced selectively.
        
        So you don't believe in the rule of law!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Butcherer79 (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:55am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        "You keep ignoring the basic issues, that sites that are not generally used for piracy are surely not going to get the bums rush for a single link or a single offending file. The internet concept of SOPA is to get after sites who make their living off of piracy, and don't take positive steps to avoid it."
        
        What's the limit then? A percentage of income? Or level of uncited damage to 'the industry'?
        I cannot believe that someone who lives in a country where laws are routinely bent, stretched and snapped to appease the 'big players' does not believe that if this bill passes, it too will not be abused, moreover, without a court to decide whether it's right or wrong to do so.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        another mike (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:50pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
        You keep ignoring the basic issues, that sites that are not generally used for piracy are surely not going to get the bums rush for a single link or a single offending file.
        
        You keep ignoring history. Sites like mp3.com The Pirate Bay were accused of copyright infringement the moment they entered the market. The legacy media conglomerate won't wait for a single link or single file. They will, as they always have, attack any innovative new technology that reduces the need for gatekeepers.
        
        I wouldn't use rapidshare, as it is one of the most common sites for pirate content. I wouldn't use megaupload or similar sites either, they are cesspools.
        
        How would you know they are used for infringing content or are cesspools if you don't use them. It appears you are not well versed in logic either.
        
        Perhaps the best way to explain it is that you should try to use sites that aren't obviously in the piracy game, and you won't have issues.
        
        Dedicated to infringing content by who's definition? According to Viacom, YouTube is "obviously in the piracy game." Yet it is one of the most popular sites for sharing user-generated video.
        
        Please refine your arguments and come back.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 8:03pm
    
    Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
    And, will you leave when you lose?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - PaulT (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 12:46am
    
    Re: Re: HA. "exhausting day", eh?
    "Tilting at windmills and serial lying is hard work, isn't it Masnick?"
    
    You tell us, you're the expert.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:29pm

Somehow, I think awaking all the slumbering giants and bring them into DC politics may not have been the wisest move for the MPAA looking forward.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
FM Hilton, 16 Nov 2011 @ 6:41pm

It's great coverage
Yeah, so it was wall to wall on Techdirt about SOPA.

If you can't be bothered to care one iota about our freedom of expression you can't complain when the votes get counted.

If you had the chance to write to your representatives and did not, that's your fault.

I, for one, was reading nearly all of Masnick's articles..not surprising he did in Twitter, but funny that they should be overwhelmed by that.They knew it was happening today.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 8:55pm

I'm still trying to figure out how this will affect my side of the coin. I make games for a living, in fact I make mmo's. So, if I don't filter chat to avoid linking to black listed sites, the ip's they represent once blocked etc. What happens?

By the sound of things, games companies such as Activision/Blizzard, EA, MS etc could be cut off from "all" payments while there is an outstanding claim. I could not find any limitation of effect in terms that if one "part" of a company was involved in a claim that it didn't affect the company as a "whole". (I'm a programmer, not a lawyer, would love this to be debunked.)

As a gamer though I can see so many copyright claims coming up:

Halo: Larry Niven and Ringworld would be front runners, I don't think he'd do it but he would have a VERY strong case given it was mentioned in the interviews and such. Otherwise, you have Heinlein for Starship Troopers with a fairly strong case of copying concept ideas.

World of Warcraft: Game Workshop, it's an unlicensed variation of the board game Warhammer in most ways, even if the story doesn't have any similarity. Additionally the Tolkien folks could go after them for obvious reasons.

Mass Effect: Lucas could go after them since it is so much Star Wars without lightsabers.

These folks can all make a legitimate claim saying that there is a copyright issue involved with the various games. 5 days to cut off all payment makes it inevitable one of these entities will do so just to get a quick payment. Legalized extortion yet again.

But, I couldn't find it, where is the limitation which says: "No income from just that 'portion' of your business?" Unless there is a limit, this could literally shutdown Microsoft income for a couple days. I'm sure VISA/MC/Etc all love this because they get to sit on money and earn the interest instead of passing it along with their previously (not so) tiny cut.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Jay (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:09pm
  
  Re:
  This is problematic on a number of gaming problems. You could take down a number of streaming sites based on a copyright claim. So building an audience on Justin.tv or Youtube would be non existant. Now, you would need another gatekeeper to ask in order to put up content, licensing from whoever owns it.
  
  That's the model that the MPAA and RIAA want.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:01pm
  
  Re:
  I can't figure out why you guys think that every copyright case is going to turn into some "nuclear option", with people pressing the nuclear launch button for every slight, real or imagined.
  
  It seems like oh so much FUD.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:30pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Why not, that's what they already attempt to do. Please tell us why we should expect any different when the law is bent even further to their will?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Prisoner 201, 17 Nov 2011 @ 12:06am
    
    Re: Re:
    "I can't figure out why you guys think that every copyright case is going to turn into some "nuclear option", with people pressing the nuclear launch button for every slight, real or imagined.
    
    It seems like oh so much FUD."
    
    I agree, because as we have seen, patents and copyright are always handled responsibly. There are no patent trolls or infringement settlement letter spammers, right?
    
    Right?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2011 @ 3:57pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      compared to the number of patents and copyrights that exist it is clear that in the VAST VAST majority of cases they are used and enforced responsibly
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Prisoner 201, 17 Nov 2011 @ 11:41pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "compared to the number of patents and copyrights that exist it is clear that in the VAST VAST majority of cases they are used and enforced responsibly"
        
        The VAST, VAST majority of people does not commit murder.
        
        According to you, murder is therefor not a problem.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - PaulT (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 1:12am
    
    Re: Re:
    "I can't figure out why you guys think that every copyright case is going to turn into some "nuclear option", with people pressing the nuclear launch button for every slight, real or imagined."
    
    It's no so hard if you actually educate yourself. The DMCA has been abused over and over again, with most of the initial cases being brought to kill free speech or kill competitors in the marketplace. We have seen time and time again that the copyright holders are incapable of correctly identifying even their own content, and have no qualms in suing children and other innocent parties or killing legitimate speech as collateral damage for their profit grabs.
    
    Why, exactly, would we feel that a proposal with less due process and greater effect to targeted parties would be any less damaging? Why is this better than actually servicing the marketplace?
    
    I've said time and time again - feel free to battle piracy and I'll be there if and when you have the moral ground. But, while you refuse to service the demands of your own consumers and insist on options that *will* damage innocent parties, you cannot have my support, ever. Try at least offering a product that's of the same quality of the "pirated" content, then we'll talk.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Richard (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:36am
    
    Re: Re:
    I can't figure out why you guys think that every copyright case is going to turn into some "nuclear option", with people pressing the nuclear launch button for every slight, real or imagined.
    
    You obviously are ignorant of what has happened to anyone trying to get the truth out about the scientologists!
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- hmm (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 5:44am
  
  Re:
  Because someone who is your rival with another MMO can just say YOUR site is infringing. Withing hours your site is cut off from payment and IP/DNS blacklisted.
  
  All just to kill you off because you have a superior rival product.
  
  Sony (everquest) will attack blizzard (wow) and vice versa and all the mini web-based MMOs will be attacking everyone they can get their sights on.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
G Thompson (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 9:12pm

Thanks for the coverage Mike, though I can see it is far from over, and most likely today will be just the tip of an extremely large iceberg that will take a long long time to get through.

It's fascinating watching all this "SOPA Opera" happen from outside the US looking in. I think I will call the Soap Opera "As the Toilet flushes - these are the laws of the weird (tm pending)"

Currently we have had your President in our land though luckily in Canberra where only the insane and the politicians reside (Think of DC without any nightlife at all), He is here talking about the 60th anniversary of ANZUS Defence Treaty, how he wants US troops here to train and resupply, and how the Asian Economic Regions that Australia is a huge part of (in our eyes anyway) can play a major part in allowing the US to be a part of the economic powerhouse that is Asia/Oceania since the EU and the US are now economically uncertain to put it mildly.

Though I suspect he just wanted to be as far away as SOPA, OWS, etc as he possibly could at the moment ;)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
mike allen (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:49pm

Thanks mike been good reading about this important bill. not just the usa will be affected good luck hope it wont pass. As to those who disbelieve the phone calls and emails i watched the number on some sites Names and country being displayed when the email was sent), at more than one a second if only ten sites were sending then congress would be swamped in emails.site one watched was avaaaz.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ben (profile), 16 Nov 2011 @ 10:50pm

Thanks
It was a long day Mike, thanks for the coverage.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 16 Nov 2011 @ 11:05pm

I've probably got a lot of facts wrong, so bear with me here.

1st there was COICA, which barely got off the ground. Now there's SOPA and the PROTECT IP(E-PARASITE before this, right).

It really does make you wonder. With the media/record companies vested interest in place, even if SOPA does'nt get passed today, they'll keep trying. Makes you dread the day if or when they finally succeed.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Darryl, 17 Nov 2011 @ 12:15am

Thanks for taking part in what has been an exhausting day
Thanks for taking part in what has been an exhausting day

Poor Misnick had to sit and watch TV all day, and type a bit on the computer !!!!!

That must of been SO taxing for you!!! you should have an asprin and a lie down.

it would have been worth the effort if you had of been able to present ANY cogent arguments or viable alternatives. But no, it's the usualy Masnick whining and crying that he is not getting his way, classic dummy spit..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2011 @ 1:37am

The DMCA has been abused over and over again

yeah it's been abused alright: by pirates every day for the past 12+ years.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Marcel de Jong (profile), 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:55am
  
  Re:
  [citation needed]
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
anonymous, 17 Nov 2011 @ 2:51am

'Let's hope Congress hears.'

dont worry. Congress heard alright. they have just chosen not to take any notice, just as they didn't give the chance to those opposing SOPA the opportunity to give their views at the hearing, focusing only on the opinions of those that had written the Bill in the first place
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
darryl, 17 Nov 2011 @ 4:09pm

freetard !!! spends the day whinning...... SNAFU
"Your posts do nothing but reinforcing my view of copyright maximalists as greedy, spoiled and slightly retarded. Not to mention uncivilized."
"so says the greedy freetard..."

Classic !!!!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Joe Wash, 18 Nov 2011 @ 7:39am

Our outspokenness
I strongly agree that the more outspoken we are, the better the chances getting things passed. We can not afford silence, as it comes at a costlier price. Anyway, his needs her needs is a must for you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]