GoDaddy Says It Doesn't Support PIPA Either, As Domains Keep Transferring Away

from the bye-bye dept

Tue, Dec 27th 2011 9:09am — Mike Masnick

After GoDaddy made its very public announcement that it no longer supports SOPA, after being a very vocal supporter (despite the fact that it almost certainly violated the original version of the law), many have doubted the sincerity of the company, especially since it confined its remarks to SOPA. So after getting some more pressure, the company put out a separate clarifying statement that it doesn't support PIPA (PROTECT IP) either.

Still, there are plenty of people who don't buy it. It didn't help that the company's new CEO (though he's been at the company in other roles for a while) gave a really weak answer, when pressed on the company's level of support, suggesting that it may have just stepped back from publicly supporting the bills, but hasn't actually switched its full position:

Adelman couldn�t commit to changing its position on the record in Congress when asked about that, but said �I�ll take that back to our legislative guys, but I agree that�s an important step.� But when pressed, he said �We�re going to step back and let others take leadership roles.� He felt that the public statement removing their support would be sufficient for now, though further steps would be considered.

Either way, it appears people keep on transferring domains. Before the talk of a boycott happened on Thursday, it looked like GoDaddy was losing about 13,000 to 15,000 domains a day anyway. Then, on Friday, when people started transferring en masse, it jumped to 21,054. On Christmas Day, it looks like another 22,542 transferred out, so it doesn't look like people are all that mollified by the public change in position. Another 26,032 were "deleted," according to DailyChanges. And, remember, the "official" day that people had talked about for everyone to transfer their domains wasn't until Thursday, December 29th, so all of this was happening before the "big day." Who knows if the statements are enough to calm people down. For what it's worth, plenty of people are still registering new domains with GoDaddy and transferring them in, but the transfers out and deletions definitely outweigh the new registrations and transfers in. It was definitely enough activity to make GoDaddy realize it was going to be in trouble if it didn't change its position.

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Filed Under: domains, pipa, protect ip, sopa, transfers
Companies: godaddy

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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:12am

" It was definitely enough activity to make GoDaddy realize it was going to be in trouble if it didn't change its position."

Basically, their free speech rights were taken away by people yelling loudly.

I am sure you guys are proud of yourselves.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:18am

Response to: Anonymous Coward on Dec 27th, 2011 @ 9:12am
Oh, there's more free speech for corporations than there is for the masses in your eyes. And that's clearly the way it should be, now and forever.

Idiot.
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ZombieBotsFromMars, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:18am

No they can saw what they want...
No one is saying they can't say what they want or support what they want, but if they take a stance that has the potential to turn their customers into criminals (while GoDaddy profits from it) they reap what they sow when their customers take their business elsewhere.
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Zauber Paracelsus (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:20am

Based on those numbers, looks like trying to say they've changed positions hasn't done anything to slow down the transfers.
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Anonymous Poster, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:20am

Re:
GoDaddy has every right to say it supports SOPA. The company should have expected a backlash for doing so, though.

Free speech isn't short for "consequence-free speech", after all.
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Torinir (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:20am

Re:
GoDaddy was free to voice their opinion on SOPA/PIPA, and they did so. Their customers were also free to express their opinion that GoDaddy was wrong, and they did so as well. That expression happened to involve removing their domains from GoDaddy's service.

Neither side had their freedom of speech revoked. Freedom of speech is not freedom from the consequences of that speech.
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:21am

Re:
Really how did that happen?
They took a position their customer base did not like, and when pressed made a halfhearted retraction. People decided to vote with their money.

No one stormed their offices, peppersprayed them, arrested them for having an opinion and stating it.

They are entitled to support a law, even a law that would leave them screwed. They opted to take the business hosting illegally seized domains for ICE over consumers.

As someone who actually has had rights taken away by a bunch of bigoted morons screaming that their invisible friend is better than everyone elses, I know what its like to have rights taken away.

1/10 - At least it was vaguely on topic.
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:25am

Re:
They may or maynot be trying to slow down people transferring out, there was talk over on /. about a host having problems and GoDaddy claiming no one said anything to them.

They are making phonecalls to EVERYONE trying to get them to stay or comeback, I think they underestimated the backlash and are now paying for it.
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Rikuo (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:25am

Re:
Idiot. You don't even know what free speech is. Free speech is you being allowed to pretty much say whatever you want (barring exceptional cases such as the classic shouting Fire in a crowded theatre).
However, you are not at liberty to escape the CONSEQUENCES of your free speech. If I turn up at a soldier's funeral and start shouting that Allah wanted this guy dead, I am exercising my free speech rights to say it. I am however not free to escape the consequence of getting my ass kicked three ways from Sunday.

I also love the irony of you saying that GoDaddy's free speech rights are being infringed on...all the while that SOPA had tremendous problems with allowing free speech, what with the private right of action.
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senshikaze (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:28am

Re:
That is an almost criminal interpretation of the first amendment. Free speech only protects you from the *THE GOVERNMENT.* If your "speech" adversely affects your customers and they then flee from your company for that exact reason, it is simple market dynamics. A corporation's first concern is, and should be, its profits. Anything else either helps or hinders that.

Supporting an American internet censorship bill is obviously bad for business for a registrar/web hosting company and while it and the people who run it can have all the opinions in the world, that doesn't mean squat when your customers are flying away.

(disclosure: I am a godaddy customer (5 domains) who is planning on leaving them because of PIPA/SOPA)
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TheNutman69321 (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:29am

Re:
How is this day and age people still don't get what free speech is beyond me. They used their right to free speech just fine and are now suffering the consequences.
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pixelpusher220 (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:30am

Re: Re:
Sadly the point is that most people don't know what it is...and the gov't likes it that way :(
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:32am

Re:
You are an idiot.

People are voting with their wallets. That's what's happening, and that's why it hurts so much.
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weneedhelp (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:37am

Too little too late
Its like me declaring how much I hate Techdirt, but now, because I am losing users, all of a sudden
I J U S T L O V E TECHDIRT. Empty statements from empty minds.

No amount of T&A will save them. Good riddance.
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zos (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:43am

Re:
Now that's just retarded.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:44am

Re:
Speech for corporations is about money not speech. Citizens United and the constitution lets GoDaddy say whatever they want. Spending money lobbying in support of SOPA is GoDaddy's way to exercise their speech.

The voters/customers however get to take GoDaddy's speech away by draining money from their wallet, leaving them with no money/'speech' to lobby in support of SOPA.
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Rikuo (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:45am

Re: Re:
I made a similar observation years ago about how people are constantly screaming "I have the right" or "You can't trample on my rights!"...all the while ignoring the flip side of the coin, responsibility. Everyone has free speech rights, but it comes with the responsibility of knowing when and where to practice your free speech. GoDaddy exercised their free speech rights to say they support SOPA, but in doing so, they trampled over the free speech rights of their customers (and also people who weren't their customers).
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weneedhelp (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:46am

Re:
Anonymous Coward, Dec 27th, 2011 @ 9:12am - I am sure you guys are proud of yourselves.

No asshole, GoDaddy made a mistake by supporting legislation that any tech company should be deathly afraid of, their users have been notified of their position on it, and have decided to pursue other venues to host their websites. Nobody yelled over them, nothing was taken away.

"It was definitely enough activity to make GoDaddy realize it was going to be in trouble if it didn't change its position."
See my comment below. No amount of backpedaling can help them at this point.
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Colin, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:50am

Re:
I marked your post as "funny." I think it has a really good chance to win this week!
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Designerfx (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:52am

Re:
godaddy's free speech rights?

no, godaddy was supporting taking away people's rights. Theirs were never taken away. You know why? They had an exemption from the bill they were in support of.

In reality, it's too little too late - you know they already support it, so the danger is there whether they change their view or not.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:54am

Re: Re:
"Neither side had their freedom of speech revoked. Freedom of speech is not freedom from the consequences of that speech."

The old "chilling effect" comes into play. While GoDaddy still has their free speech rights intact in theory, in reality they are NOT using them because certain people feel the need to take vengeance on them for not agreeing with their stand on SOPA.

Basically, Go Daddy was told "change your opinion or suffer!".

That really isn't very positive for free speech, si it?
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Mike Masnick (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 9:58am

Re:
Basically, their free speech rights were taken away by people yelling loudly.

It might help for you to learn what free speech rights are and how they work before making blatantly ignorant statements.
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:00am

Re: Re: Re:
.....? What? Holy hell, you're serious, aren't you?!

Please read the First Amendment, just once. Then, come back and explain to me why your entire argument makes no sense.

You're dismissed.
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Kassandra (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:00am

No surprise
A few missteps has led GoDaddy to their current situation. First is strongly supporting SOPA/PIPA. While they are welcome to support whatever they want, the backlash from the consumers seems to be speaking that they weren't expecting such opposition to the bills.

When the boycott of GoDaddy was announced, rather than approach it diplomatically they reaffirmed their position of support, and combined with their annoying amount of upselling a lot of people are realising there are better and cheaper options out there than GoDaddy.

The final nail in the coffin is the way their retracted support has been phrased, reading in a way that has left many people suspecting that they still support it.

This seems to be more of the catalyst to discontent that has triggered people to change registrar. How many of us use the same ISP when better alternatives exist because of the hassle of switching, or power company?

I have a domain at GoDaddy, and i would have already transferred it away if I could. It was registered years ago to an email address that no longer exists (using the privacy option) and I really don't want to jump through the multitude of hoops to transfer a $10 domain I don't really use anymore.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:00am

Re: Re: Re:
The old "chilling effect" comes into play. While GoDaddy still has their free speech rights intact in theory, in reality they are NOT using them because certain people feel the need to take vengeance on them for not agreeing with their stand on SOPA.

Go away you pathetic troll.

Since when is consumer choice vengeance? Get over yourself and this pathetic company that is now reaping what they sowed.
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EH, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:01am

Re:
Basically, their free speech rights were taken away by people yelling loudly.

Nope. GoDaddy is still free to support SOPA and PIPA all they like just the same that their customers are free to transfer their domains to a company that deserves their money. Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from effects.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:01am

Re:
Free speech is also about accepting the consequences of what you say.

If I told the world publicly that they all deserved to die, I might expect a bit of backlash for example.
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:02am

Re: Re: Re:
.....? What? Holy hell, you're serious, aren't you?!

Please read the First Amendment, just once. Then, come back and explain to me why your entire argument makes no sense.

You're dismissed.
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E. Zachary Knight (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:10am

Re: Re: Re:
Vengeance? Really? You honestly are full of it.

No person is required to do business with any company, let alone one they have severe moral objections too.

Did Godaddy change its mind sue to pressure from its customers? Yes. Was that a restraint on its freedom of speech? No.

This is an example of markets at work, not stifling of anyone's ability to speak freely. To claim that their ability to support SOPA was harmed by this event is beyond ignorant and bordering on insanity.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:13am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Of course he's serious! It's his ship and he's going down with it!
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Killercool (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:13am

Re: Re: Re:
Yes it is. Because it means that, in the end, the opinions of the customers counted for more than the opinions of the shareholders. How often does that happen anymore?

Plus, once again: free speech does not guarantee consequence-free speech.

You are allowed to talk shit about your employer - but you may end up fired. Is that a chilling effect?

You can express your doubts as to the sanity, faithfulness, hygiene, etc., of your spouse - but you may end up divorced. Is that a chilling effect?

I was going to post some other stuff in response to you & your ilk, but I just deleted it all in favor of this:

Since when are boycotts bad?
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Cixelsid (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:20am

Re:
Troll win.
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Ninja (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:21am

Re:
That was some sad trolling eh? I'm astonished to see how hard you were crushed by TD community. You have my sympathy, does your free speech hurt?
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Machin Shin, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:22am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Really I would argue that it probably was the opinion of the customers and the shareholders counted for more than opinion of CEO and others in the company. Most of those share holders care about making money. If a decision cost the company money than they are against it. A sad truth of our current system.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:24am

Re: Re: Re:
"The old "chilling effect" comes into play. While GoDaddy still has their free speech rights intact in theory, in reality they are NOT using them because certain people feel the need to take vengeance on them for not agreeing with their stand on SOPA.

Basically, Go Daddy was told "change your opinion or suffer!".

That really isn't very positive for free speech, si it?"

GoDaddy's right to free speech has NOT been removed or taken away. There is no "intact in theory". It's intact and has remained so.

People are not taking vengeance on them, people just don't agree with their views and are boycotting them in accordance with consumer rights. It'd be like Nike having the choice to have their shoes made in illegal sweatshops by children. They can (and have in the past) do that. That's their business. I have the right to say I don't approve of that, as such I'll take my business elsewhere (Converse, for example).

GoDaddy wasn't told "change your opinion or suffer". Heck, if anything GoDaddy did that themselves. GoDaddy was made aware of a boycott, scoffed at it, further defended their stance, then after the fact changed it and started further worsening the situation by blocking attempts to leave and essentially begging people to stay. All the while leaving their position in regards to SOPA up in the air, claiming one thing but making it's meaning ambiguous.

If anything, this only reaffirms a positive in regards to free speech. The corporations and people have the right to say and support what they want (with the obvious exceptions "fire" in a crowded theater and whatnot). But, you may face consequences for what you say.

I find it amusing, that YOU of all people are b*tching about free speech abuse WHILE openly advocating for and supporting measures like SOPA. A bit of a hypocrite aren't you?
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Nick M (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:26am

Re:
Just because you can say something and have the legal right to do so, doesn't mean that your customers have to like what you said.

Their "rights" weren't infringed on by anybody, but in the end, it's their pocketbook that made them change their tune.
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average_joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:27am

It was definitely enough activity to make GoDaddy realize it was going to be in trouble if it didn't change its position.

"Big trouble"? Hardly. Wake me up when you guys affect even 1% of their business.
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Tim, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:27am

Re: Rights
These people who run corporations really should take a look at their clientel before blurting out positions that may be in direct oposition. No one's rights were trampled here. The customers were exercizing their rights just as the corporation exercized its rights and it looks as though the corporation lost. I'm all for corporations having opinions but an umberella maker should not come out against rain
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Ninja (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:30am

Re:
Hardly? Try to stay awake while they get a 500k hit on their revenue and they start calling ppl asking them to go back. Oh, it's already happening... Are you awake Mr Sleepwalker?
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:32am

Re:
Yay! i get to be the first in this thread!

"Basically, their free speech rights were taken away by people yelling loudly.
I am sure you guys are proud of yourselves."

Basically GoDaddy were that real drunk guy at a party saying "i think Hitler had the right idea" and then waking up surprised the day after when none of his former friends wanted to stay in touch.

Him voicing his opinion is free speech, others not agreeing with his opinion and therefore distancing themselves from him has nothing to do with free speech, free speech is just that first part. his right to speak his mind.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:34am

Re:
Basically, their free speech rights were taken away by people yelling loudly.

Oh, that's really terrible. GoDaddy is being repressed by those meanies. Someone should call the waaaambulance! Stat!

Or maybe we can form an all-star celebrity committee to raise attention (and funds!) for the human rights abuse against GoDaddy.
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bigpicture, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:36am

Re: Free Speech?
A Corporation is not a voting entity, although they would have you believe that they have First Amendment rights. Is it "We the People" or "We the Corporations". Or maybe "We the Big Money Lobbyists".

Give your head a shake, the Corporation propaganda, especially Hollywood have you brainwashed too.

Time that your Government represents "The People" or don't even call it a Democracy. China is more of a Democracy because the Corporations don't run that country.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:39am

Re:
Eh? Putting words in peoples mouths?
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:49am

Re:
I love you.
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average_ioe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:49am

Re:
did you just put a sentence in italics, then misquote it? If you think being completely obtuse will thwart me....you are correct, nothing left to see here.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:50am

Re:
"Hardly. Wake me up when you guys affect even 1% of their business."

Really? That's how you want to spin it? Yet, you gladly support the **AA's who CANNOT legitimately show that file sharing has even remotely affected their business. By that I mean, an official, non-biased study. Proving financial harm beyond a reasonable doubt.

Yet, these industries, for whom no harm can be definitively proved, can declare there's "big trouble" and affect the lives of 99% of the people in the country (in one way, shape or form or another).

What's amusing is, were we to affect 1% of their business, you'd call us all freetards and demand action against the lot of us. Something that STRICTLY prohibits on our rights as customers to shop wherever we please. You'd demand law that ALL domains MUST BE registered and acquired from GoDaddy. I can totally guarantee it. And you'd gladly ask that a few other rights and technically impossible means be thrown into such a bill, for good measure.
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hothmonster, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:58am

Re: Re:
He had a good run with this one on Friday too.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:07am

Re: Re:
What a little man you are.

What's the point of people joining this site to make their opinions known, when Masnick just allows a member to be purposely confused with someone else that has the opposite opinion?
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average_joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:07am

Re: Re:
I meant to type "Be in trouble," but I typed "Big trouble." Mea culpa. (I really should proofread my posts...)
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average_joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:10am

Re: Re:
Back at ya. ;)
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Ninja (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:17am

Re: Re: Re:
All posts were submitted with a registered account... If you don't like being mistaken for another AC just register =)

MAsnick has nothing to do with your laziness ;)
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average_joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:26am

Re: Re:
Good for you if you get thousands of people to leave, but put that number into perspective or else it's meaningless. If 99.9% of their customers aren't participating in the "SOPA boycott," then that's obviously a significant fact that cuts against your side's portrayal of what's happening.

As to the rest of your arguments, you must have me confused with someone else. I don't care what registrar you use. I used GoDaddy once and thought the service sucked. I won't use them again based on that experience alone. I couldn't care less what you do.
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Jim, 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:27am

Re: Re:
"However, you are not at liberty to escape the CONSEQUENCES of your free speech. If I turn up at a soldier's funeral and start shouting that Allah wanted this guy dead, I am exercising my free speech rights to say it. I am however not free to escape the consequence of getting my ass kicked three ways from Sunday."

You know as inactive member of the Marines, I actually take offense to this statement. A person should be able to voice their opinion without worry of physical violence. (At least that's what I defended). I don't care if you saying the most inane or insipid thing on the planet. As long as you are not physically attacking someone, then you have a right to say what you think and feel. Free speech is not pick and choose.
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Violated (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 11:33am

GoDaddy made their own bed so now it is time to lay in it.

I know some people who have taken a wait and see what they do approach so unless a big concession from GoDaddy then the 29th could see a jump in domain transfers.
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PRMan, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:06pm

Re: Re: Re:
Yes, his example is pretty poor, since government agents would be beating him up.

A corporation is not free from consequences from the public for their speech. And a person is not free from the consequences of their corporation (except in federally-recognized areas such as freedom of religion outside the workplace, etc.)
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:07pm

Re: Re:
Hum...apparently AJ is coming down with some sort of schizophrenia. Or maybe someone just misspelled his name with two _ (underscore).

In any event, caveat emptor...or something latin that means "be careful with impostors".
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average_joe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:12pm

Re: Re: Re:
I'm "joe," while my stalker is "ioe."
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:13pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Oh please... the First amendment gives everyone the right to free speech, but it doesn't give anyone the right to hold someone's business for ransom until they stop using their free speech.

The actions of the slobbering masses against Go Daddy is right up there with the "shut up and think our way" goons of the past. It's sad.

I read the first amendment - but I didn't stop there. Did you?
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average_ioe (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:15pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
my hypothesis:

AJ doesnt want to respond to me...

so he signs out and questions the merits of joining from the feigned perspective of someone who has yet to join. Using the same vernacular as always in his greeting.

Not realizing that the ability to be an AC and use that title is exactly what he is calling to end. If you didnt know he supported SOPA already...
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AJBarnes, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:16pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
You kidding? GoDaddy is free to support what they want. If I don't like what they're using the money I pay them for, then I have the right to do business with someone else. They can still espouse their opinions, but they can do it without my money. It's kind of like TV... don't like what's on? Change the channel.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:18pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
"GoDaddy's right to free speech has NOT been removed or taken away. There is no "intact in theory". It's intact and has remained so."

Sorry, but their free speech is being limited by the actions of those who are organizing a boycott. It isn't just a question of individuals choosing not to do business with Go Daddy, but people who are actively organizing to put pressure on others to do the same, and by such to force Go Daddy to change their position - aka, limiting their free speech.

Would you post the same post you just did if I told you that I would take away half your pay? Would you do it if I told you that your business would be shut down?

Chilling effects come in many forms. Disagreeing with Go Daddy's opinion is one thing, punishing them for having the balls to speak out is another thing altogether.
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Atkray (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:23pm

Re: Re: Re:
According to everything you have written for the past 3 weeks, it is just the fringe element at Techdirt that is against SOPA & PIPA anyways, so the logical conclusion is that GoDaddy should be more emphatic about their support for these monstrosities and then customers will come flocking to them in droves.

But wait that isn't happening. How come the entertainment industry isn't transferring all their domains to GoDaddy in a show of support?

Face it, you talk about pirates as being the ones that want stuff for free it is really you and those who think like you do that want stuff for free.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:25pm

I'm getting the popcorn ready for this scene.
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bjupton (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:30pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
I love that in order to support free speech, in your eyes, I must do business with someone who has policies that are against my best interest, lest I 'hold their business at ransom.'

Amazing.
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Floppy Copy, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:30pm

Re:
Nobody is stopping GoDaddy from saying whatever they want, whenever they want. They're still perfectly free to do so. The fact that they changed their position on SOPA and PIPA has nothing to do with free speech and everything to do with successfully running a business. If I and others like me decide to stop shopping at Walmart, have we taken away their right to free speech? Of course not! Stop being such an obvious idiot please.
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Floppy Copy, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:45pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Would you post the same post you just did if I told you that I would take away half your pay? Would you do it if I told you that your business would be shut down?"
Yes, and hell yes. If it's something I believe strongly enough in, I'll stand my ground. The fact that you cannot understand this explains your failure to fully understand what free speech is about.

Like others have said, free speech hasn't been taken away from GoDaddy. They are still free to say whatever they want. They're going to lose customers for not supporting SOPA and PIPA too you know. This all comes down to profitability and making good business decisions, nothing more. It's possible these laws might help make them more money in the future, but they don't care about the future. Businesses care about the facts on the ground here and now, not maybe and hopefully. Investing in hopes is a good way to go broke.
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Floppy Copy, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:47pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Would you post the same post you just did if I told you that I would take away half your pay? Would you do it if I told you that your business would be shut down?"
Yes, and hell yes. If it's something I believe strongly enough in, I'll stand my ground. The fact that you cannot understand this explains your failure to fully understand what free speech is about.

Like others have said, free speech hasn't been taken away from GoDaddy. They are still free to say whatever they want. They're going to lose customers for not supporting SOPA and PIPA too you know. This all comes down to profitability and making good business decisions, nothing more. It's possible these laws might help make them more money in the future, but they don't care about the future. Businesses care about the facts on the ground here and now, not maybe and hopefully. Investing in hopes is a good way to go broke.
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Floppy Copy, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:47pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Would you post the same post you just did if I told you that I would take away half your pay? Would you do it if I told you that your business would be shut down?"
Yes, and hell yes. If it's something I believe strongly enough in, I'll stand my ground. The fact that you cannot understand this explains your failure to fully understand what free speech is about.

Like others have said, free speech hasn't been taken away from GoDaddy. They are still free to say whatever they want. They're going to lose customers for not supporting SOPA and PIPA too you know. This all comes down to profitability and making good business decisions, nothing more. It's possible these laws might help make them more money in the future, but they don't care about the future. Businesses care about the facts on the ground here and now, not maybe and hopefully. Investing in hopes is a good way to go broke.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:47pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
This mentality of wanting to get paid no matter what the company does or how they think or what policies they put in place is just mind-blowing to me.

Evolve, or be weeded out. Welcome to the free market.
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Dementia (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 12:55pm

Re:
Let's remember one thing, in order for the first amendment to be violated it has to be a GOVERNMENT agency doing the violating. The whole point of the amendments to the Constitution were to place limits on the government, not on individual citizens. As such, consumers making a statement with their wallets that causes a company to change its stance on a particular piece of legislation is in no way a violation of the company/corporation's freedom of speech.
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Overcast (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:05pm

GoDaddy can support SOPA all it wants - and the customers that are against it can move their business. No one's rights have been infringed upon - that's what SOPA will do - systematically.
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Anonymouse coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:10pm

Doesn't make sense...
No one is taking away their free speech rights... Customers simply made a decision to not support a company that didn't align with their interests. Seeing the impact on the bottom line, GoDaddy ALONE made the decision to reverse their stance.
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bjupton (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:16pm

Re: Re: Free Speech?
The folks that run large corporations actually have better than First Amendment rights. Their speech is the speech that counts.

Get this money out of our political process.
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TtfnJohn (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:31pm

Re:
No one took away GoDaddy's free speech rights. They've merely protested the positions they've taken over SOPA/PIPA in the most effective way consumers of products or services have by ceasing doing business with them and urging others to do the same.

It's not just people yelling loudly, it's people acting on the position a buisness takes that they find unconscionable.

Oh, and yeah, I am proud of it.

GoDaddy needs to hurt more cause their PIPA statemeent reads like it was dashed off in an incredible hurry by a PR hack and has about as much spine to it as an amoeba. And they need to take the same position of leadership on withdrawl of support as they took in supporting PIPA and SOPA.

Now, if you'd just come over here I have to wash your mouth out with this fresh bar of SOPA.
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Anonymous Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:42pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Please explain then how a corporation IS an individual?
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TtfnJohn (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:47pm

Re: Re: Re:
Indeed you should. ;-)

Still, it's hard to argue that the boycott/transfer out movement has been gaining ground. Enough of it to get GoDaddy to reverse their previous positions on SOPA and PIPA though leaving enough room to drive an aircraft carrier trough in the wording so they can do it quietly or just as quietly change their mind. Fine, that's up to them.

In all honestly I think they're more worried about what may happen on Thursday now given the movement away from them seems to be growing each day.

Their reaction to date has been that of an organization that has been caught flat footed by something they didn't expect and never foresaw. They didn't have a fallback either as is evidenced by their statements on PIPA/SOPA.

What WILL convince people are statements emailed to members of the House of Representatives clearly saying "We no longer support SOPA." and no equivocation. Ditto for Senators saying "We no longer support PIPA" without equivocation and then clearly saying they will fight to ensure passage of the bills doesn't happen.

OK, maybe that won't convince people It might help some, though.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:49pm

Re:
This is easily the dumbest thing I have ever read. Let me see if I have this: A business IS free to say and do whatever they want, but when all of said business' customers disagree with them, they are NOT free to leave this business. I would ask you to expand on that and possibly clarify, but I've read enough stupid out of you for one day.
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erik (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 1:56pm

Re:
This is easily the dumbest thing I have ever read. Let me see if I have this straight: A business IS free to say and do whatever they want, but when all of said business' customers disagree with them, they are NOT free to leave this business. I would ask you to expand on that and possibly clarify, but I've read enough stupid out of you for one day.
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TtfnJohn (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 2:00pm

Re: Re: Re:
You're right to the extent that the boycott call isn't going to take GoDaddy down.

More damaging is the total amount of traffic going through their sites in total if, for no other reason, that brings into question their claim to be the largest hosting company going on one measure.

That and, you are right, Joe, their service sucks, their attitude sucks and for a host of other reasons they need to get whacked up side of the head. Not just this. (I lasted about a month with them before transferring a domain out and stopping payment due to poor service and a complaint or to the BBB.)

The thing here is that the people shifting out are probably the most technically literate of their customers as well as the most active and educated people in social issues, in this case from left to right and everything in between.

As for "The Handmaid's Tale" version of a world where you're told who will host our site and so on, I have no idea where s/he got that one from. I disagree strongly with your position on SOPA/PIPA but I can't for the life of me imagine you going anywhere near that far.
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Biff, 27 Dec 2011 @ 2:02pm

Reply To Anon Coward
Dude, the have all the free speech they want. And we can do business with whomever we want (usually). No one is restricting their right to speak their minds. They can talk about and support any bill they want, and we are free to vote with our business.

BTW, is it better to ignore trolls or try to set them straight?
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 2:07pm

Re:
Free speech doesn't mean consequence-free speech, expecially for corporations as 'people'. You can't have your cake and eat it.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 2:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Would you post the same post you just did if I told you that I would take away half your pay? Would you do it if I told you that your business would be shut down?

Chilling effects come in many forms. Disagreeing with Go Daddy's opinion is one thing, punishing them for having the balls to speak out is another thing altogether."

Yes, I would post the same thing if you said you'd do that, then I'd tell you to go f*ck yourself while you're at it. Luckily, I don't work for you. Most of my employers (I have multiple jobs) have no problem with me voicing my opinion, regardless of whether or not they agree with me. In fact, they actively encourage it. If I have a thought that's different on something (usually work related) they prefer I voice it. No punishment for doing so. Sometimes it works for the better.

I have my own business too (nothing big, just a small side gig). Same thing. No one can shut it down for voicing my opinion. That and most of my clients are directly referred to me for the services I provide at prices that beat my competition and my amazing guarantee of service. So regardless of my appearance or the things I say, people come to me because I'm good at what I do and charge reasonable prices.

I have a few simple rules I live by. One of them is "if you don't like me or my appearance or some of the things I say, get f*cking lost if you want, your opinion means jack to me and I'm not going to change who I am, how I look or what I say/think for you or anyone else".

Either way, they're not being punished. People disagree with them, they're taking their business elsewhere. As is their right as customers. If a boycott is being organized, same thing. People have the right to boycott.

You guys seem to think saying "let's not give our business to these people" is a bad thing and violating someone's free speech. It's not. As you put it, if I say something and my business gets shut down or gets lowered, that sucks to be me. But there are consequences for the things we do. The same way you may advocate that pirates face their punishments, the same thing applies to speech. You want to same something, be ready to back it up and stand by your position. No one's going to cut you a break. "Oh, boohoo. He may lose business." Psh.

I can be a man and speak my peace and accept the consequences of my actions. Or I can puss out and bow down to pressure from others. Personally, I'd rather speak my mind and the f*ck with anyone who disagrees. I don't mean, I won't listen to them or hear them in turn, I just mean if you don't like what I have to say that's your problem, not mine.
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sumquy (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 2:54pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"GoDaddy's right to free speech has NOT been removed or taken away. There is no "intact in theory". It's intact and has remained so."

Sorry, but their free speech is being limited by the actions of those who are organizing a boycott. It isn't just a question of individuals choosing not to do business with Go Daddy, but people who are actively organizing to put pressure on others to do the same, and by such to force Go Daddy to change their position - aka, limiting their free speech.

Would you post the same post you just did if I told you that I would take away half your pay? Would you do it if I told you that your business would be shut down?

Chilling effects come in many forms. Disagreeing with Go Daddy's opinion is one thing, punishing them for having the balls to speak out is another thing altogether.

yes! yes! yes! you do understand. this is exactly what we have been saying all along is one of the major problems with sopa/pipa. when you cut off the payments it starts to feel a lot like censorship doesn't it?
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artp (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 3:17pm

Re: Response to: Anonymous Coward on Dec 27th, 2011 @ 9:12am
Free speech doesn't mean that I am forced to listen to your drivel. In GoDaddy's case, I don't have to stick around to take their arrogance and self-centeredness. I'm hoping to be able to select a replacement by Thursday. There are some really interesting registrars out there, and I really should have switched along ago.

They can still talk, it's just that they aren't guaranteed an audience.
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Rekrul, 27 Dec 2011 @ 5:42pm

Re: Re: Re:
Basically, Go Daddy was told "change your opinion or suffer!".

What if a store opened up in your community and the owner put a sign in his window stating "I hate niggers, gooks and kikes!"

Would you shop there provided his prices were good?
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Rekrul, 27 Dec 2011 @ 5:46pm

The biggest problem for GoDaddy is that they've blatantly admitted that they only changed their position due to the threat of lost business. They didn't have a change of heart, they're just protecting their bottom line.

How different would things be if they had said "We initially though that SOPA was a good idea, but after seeing how many people were opposed to it, we decided to take a closer look and read some of the research that's been done about the potential unintended consequences. After careful consideration, we have decided that the opponents are right and we can no longer, in good conscience, support this bill."?
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tsavory (profile), 27 Dec 2011 @ 8:14pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Hell I never used them for the fact I went to there site one day and searched to see if a domain name was available it was while I was deciding i looked up a few other domain names at whois.net and I checked the name I had looked up though Godaddy and well it was registered to them so wow in the 10 min I was looking around and deciding what name to choose all of a sudden Godaddy had it and it was go with Godaddy or choose a new name well new name it was I would not aback a company that holds a domain hostage to get you to go with them. I know for a fact it was just being held hostage as it was a name I did want so I kept an eye out for it and 2 weeks later it was available again. I still have it.
So the stats listed on dailychanges.com concerning new and deleted domains don't mean anything to me.
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AlbertKaufman (profile), 28 Dec 2011 @ 11:22am

Bye, Bye Daddy
this company has put out such a sexist face for so long and now this. Goodbye, good riddance.
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