Denial: MPAA Pretends That No Big Sites Have Joined SOPA/PIPA Protests

from the living-in-denial dept

Wed, Jan 18th 2012 12:31pm — Mike Masnick

Living in what can only be described as pure denial, the MPAA announced today that the SOPA/PIPA protests "failed to enlist big sites." Honestly, there's really not much more to say about that. Google. Wikipedia. Facebook. Amazon. Craigslist. All participating. Let's just stare in wonder at the MPAA's hubris and ability to deny reality.

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: blackouts, denial, pipa, protect ip, protests, sopa
Companies: google, mpaa, wikipedia

81 Comments

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

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

crade (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:05pm

Maybe they meant the protest failed to enlist *some* big sites. Wow do they ever come off desperate all of a sudden.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
usul_of_arakis (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:30pm

And yet they link to an article that says the opposite. Par for the course for the MPAA, claiming something says some thing it does not.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:35pm

You forgot to mention Craigslist.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:39pm

Re:
It's actually a pretty good article on the protest that he links to.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dennis Yang (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:43pm

smaller site.
I like how the Reuter's article calls Reddit a "smaller site."

Alexa graph.

What does that make Reuters then?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Capitalist Lion Tamer (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:44pm

Perhaps he means that mpaa.gov and riaa.gov are still blackout-free. No, I'm pretty sure I typed those URLs correctly.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:44pm

I just took a look at the MPAA's Twitter account. Wow. Some people really are thick. They nitpick quotes from various sources. But only quotes that they take out of context and appear to support their own positions. They quickly make tweets about "people upset about Wikipedia outage" and so on (including tweets about other companies/sites offering to take up the slack for Wikipedia, for today obviously), then they pretty much insist that they're doing everything they can to work with others on this legislation, meanwhile they say Wikipedia and others are blocking any such attempts at cooperation.

I thought yesterday's statement by Chris Dodd was as "pot calling the kettle black"/hypocritical/ironic as it could get. I stand corrected.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Karl (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:46pm

Reuters
Here's the kicker: that WAS the headline in the Reuters article. You can still see the original article at MSNBC.com.

However, now that same Reuters URL (I believe - it's the one linked from the MPAA's Twitter feed) is singing a different tune: Pockets of Internet go dark to protest piracy bills. The article is completely re-written.

It's pretty obvious that Reuters thought the protest would fizzle, and wrote the story yesterday. Now that it's actually a big deal, they're scrambling to cover their tracks. Pretty amusing, actually.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:46pm

Re:
And yet they link to an article that says the opposite.

Yeah. Is reading even a prerequisite to work for the MPAA?

From the article that the MPAA linked to:

"Something this big - which looks to be the largest and most prolific online protest ever in the short history of the Internet - that's bound to get the attention of lawmakers across the board," said Jeffrey Silva, an analyst at Medley Global Advisors.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:47pm

It's not a big site unless aliens from another planet have heard of it, therefore there are no big sites on the Internet.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dennis Yang (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:48pm

Re:
Good point.. added now.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:48pm

I think the MPAA might be splitting that hair a little thin. Yeah, so Google didn't blackout their site, but they did still join in on the protest. Lying by omission is still lying.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Loki, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:49pm

Re:
They have always been desperate. Their biggest advantage has always been so few people have ever compared their statements (like their response to the recent White House memo) against the actual facts. when you sit down and compare what the RIAA and MPAA say something said or meant against what was actually said or meant you have to question if they even really understand the English language. They are either the largest collection of pathological liars I have ever encountered, or are so divorced from reality I question how they manage to stay out of mental institutions. The fact that I used to be one of their biggest supporters just makes shake my head in dismay.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:49pm

Where do you see Facebook participating? Zuckerburg posting personal posts and referencing buried pages is far from the company itself supporting "Blackout Day." In fact, I'd say Facebook completely skipped out. They don't have any mention of it anywhere that a regular user would see it. Major FAIL on their part.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:50pm

They mean facebook/twitter
Liar-speak is a subtle thing. The article mentions two sites that didn't black out today. That's what they've latched onto.

It's like ignoring the crowds and highlighting the 5 people who stayed home during the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:51pm

Re: smaller site.
abysmally small.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:52pm

google? yeah, that's small, only the worlds largest/most used search engine.

Wikipedia? pfft...insignificant. The worlds largest encyclopedia should offer it's website in Klingon, then it might be 'big'

Reddit? Please...only about 100 mil unique hits per month. They need to somehow offer their site to the world's penguin population, THEN..it'll be big!.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:52pm

Re:
Unless it involves a woman. Then it's self preservation.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Vincent Giannell, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:53pm

Man. Those MPAA guys sure are a bunch of liars. Those big sites did join the SOPA/PIPA protest. They just refused to accept that fact.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Justin Olbrantz (Quantam), 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:55pm

Quick Fact Check
Google is the #1 largest site on the web. Facebook is the #2 largest site on the web. Wikipedia is #6. Amazon is #9. Heck, the Alexa list of largest sites in the world reads like a directory of SOPA opponents; essentially ALL of the largest sites in the world oppose SOPA.

For fun, MPAA is #96,830, RIAA is #146,123.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:56pm

enough times repeated becomes truth...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
DarkWolf901, 18 Jan 2012 @ 12:58pm

Re:
Actually I think it's more of a case of the pot calling the snow black...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Loki, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:03pm

Re: Reuters
Plus, they are assuming because sites like Google didn't completely go "dark" or that Facebook didn't join the blackout they failed to participate. Wrong. I've seen at least 50 wall posts of Google's SOPA page on Facebook today, as well as a large number of posts from various sites such as Reddit, Gizmodo, Wikipedia, and a host of others and I'm seeing more and more people cross-posting those various links. Facebook is actually doing more by not doing anything, allowing a much wider selection of protest information to disseminate than would occur if they just put up a single link to their own anti-SOPA/PIPA protest factsheet.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PRMan, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:04pm

Maybe...
Maybe these small internet startups should just BUY the media companies and then we can see how "small" they are.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
DannyB (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:06pm

Re:
The Mayans predicted IPv4 exhaustion in 2012. Don't talk about aliens reading the Internet until we have IPv6 fully deployed.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:10pm

Re: Re:
They have hardly always been desperate when it comes to getting what they want from DC. Usually it's more of a snap of the fingers and a yawn and a bad law is slipped in for them type of deal.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:12pm

Re: smaller site.
It's Reuters. They're so confused about computers, they could have been talking about the font size.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:12pm

Hilarious, they say it doesn't enlist big sites then links to an article about some of the biggest sites on the internet who joined in.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Justin Olbrantz (Quantam), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:12pm

Re: Quick Fact Check
Though to be fair, Reddit is only #115 on the web.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Cowardly Anon, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:14pm

I think what he meant is that no big name sites that aren't dedicated to piracy. Obviously these sites would oppose the bill....they make their money off pirates. Thus, their opinions don't matter.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Philip (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:16pm

What the ??
Tweet posted: 16 hours ago via Tweet Button
Article posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:44pm EST (under 1hr ago).

Err. MPAA tried to jump the gun? But to back-post a tweet? With an article made in the future?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Kevin H (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:21pm

Re: Re: Quick Fact Check
That's only a difference of 96,715 websites between Reddit and the MPAA. Totally a negligible amount.

/sarc
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:22pm

Phones clearing
Half an hour ago, I got through to staffer for senator after only four or five ringey-dingeys.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
gorehound (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:22pm

I created a Boycott Big Content Facebook page for people to share their ideas,etc.
MPAA You need to go down !!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
rubberpants, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:30pm

Yet Another Analysis of the MPAA's Statement
People often say far more than they intend to simply by the words they choose. Even carefully crafted PR statements contain hidden insights.

"Only days after"

The date of the blackouts was determined before the white-house released their statement. The use of the word "only" implies that having the timing of the blackout was somehow improper, unreasonable, or wrong.

"the White House and chief sponsors of the legislation"

Intentionally grouping the White House and chief sponsors together so that it is unclear who the actions and positions in the rest of the sentence are attributed to.

"responded to"

"Responded to" doesn't mean removed, fixed or addressed. Responded means anything other than silence, up to and including "screw you."

"to the major concern"

Note the singular of "concern." They acknowledge that there are other concerns, and that they did not respond to them.

"expressed by opponents"

By using the word "opponents", they reveal that they see this as a game. There are many other words they could have used there. The game theme keeps popping up later as well.

"and then called for all parties to work cooperatively together,"

They just finished saying that they see people who don't support the bill as their challengers in a game, that there are concerns they didn't respond to, and then somehow think we'll believe that they want all parties to "work cooperatively together." This is clearly a lie. The other things they've said indicate that they don't want that at all.

"some technology business interests"

"Some" is a pretty weak word to represent a quantity that tends to mean "not many." They want to minimize the number. Including the word "interests" evokes the term "special interests" and the negative connotations associated with it. (I find that particularly interesting as this is coming from an organization that's whole reason for being is to influence policy. Where as the "technology" businesses are actual businesses.)

"are resorting"

They use "resorting" to imply desperation or a last-ditch effort, that they believe the blackouts were a hasty reaction and not well thought out or carefully considered. That's not true. We know there was lengthy discussion, advanced planning, and careful coordination between many parties before hand, especially in the case of Wikipedia.

"to stunts"

You know, "stunts", like Evel Knievel jumping a flaming car or a seal balancing a ball on it's nose; implying hollow and pointless entertainment with no real purpose or effect. It's too soon to see all of the effects of this, but early indications are it's been quite effective.

"that punish their users"

This is an attempt to persuade people that encounter the blackout that the site isn't punishing the MPAA - it's punishing them. (Again, interesting coming from an organization that not only literally threatens to punish it's users every time they use their supporters products with a red warning about big punishments but has also actually punished it's users, including children and elderly people by suing them for enormous sums of money.)

"or turn them into their corporate pawns"

Again with the game metaphors. The MPAA doesn't produce or sell anything they simply follow the orders of the companies that fund them. Pawns. Furthermore, the whole point of the MPAA is to influence policy makers with campaign contributions and lucrative private-sector employment opportunities. Pawns again. But somehow, when someone is encouraged to contact the person elected to represent them, they're pawns.

"rather than coming to the table"

They are making clear here that they don't want the direction of the country being determined by the voice of the public, but by big players in a closed room sitting around a table making deals. First chess, and now poker.

"to find solutions"

"Solutions" plural. These bills are not the end, in other words.

"to a problem that all now seem to agree is very real and damaging."

We know that all do not agree. It's hard to tell a blatant lie through, it causes psychological discomfort. So, they had to add the word "seem" to soften the statement. The fact that they even put this phrase in there, shows that they know this isn't true. When someone is writing about drunk-driving, do they bother to write that "all now agree it's very real and damaging?" Of course not, everyone already agrees with that. Also, by trying to strengthen "real" with the word "very", they are betraying that they suspect it isn't real but they want us to think it is.

"It is an irresponsible response"

They are saying that the blackout was reckless and that someone just like you could get hurt by it. Classic appeal to fear.

"and a disservice to people who rely on them for information and use their services."

They are admitting that people "rely" on their opponents. If someone relies on you, then you are essential. I'm surprised by this and think it was a slip up on there part.

"It is also an abuse of power"

They are acknowledging that the Internet is powerful and they resent that.

"given the freedoms these companies enjoy in the marketplace today."

This is clearly a threat. They're saying that these companies have too much freedom and they can take it away. "Those are some nice freedoms you have there. It would be a shame if something were to happen to them."

"It�s a dangerous and troubling development"

"Dangerous" is, again, an appeal to fear. The use of the word "development" tries to suggest that these actions are a surprise and were not provoked or precipitated by any events. It's an attempt to absolve themselves of any responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

"when the platforms that serve as gateways to information"

I'm surprised they would use the word "gateways" here. It's a common criticism that they are the "gatekeepers" of content and they just want to lock it up. Perhaps they are trying to imply that "those other guys are gatekeepers too, see!"

"intentionally skew the facts"

"Skew" is a pretty weak criticism, akin to "tilt" or "spin". They could have said, "they are lying", but they didn't because that of itself is a lie and would be too strong for comfort. It also would be too hard to fact check them on that - whereas "skew" could mean anything.

"to incite their users"

"incite" is clearly an homage to mob violence and implies coercion rather than persuasion. (Shouldn't they have said "induce" just for kicks and giggles?)

"in order to further their corporate interests."

They are saying, "See, we're not the only ones with corporate interests. Everyone is doing it so it's okay."

"A so-called �blackout� is yet another gimmick, albeit a dangerous one,"

We know it's called a blackout. Everyone is calling it a blackout. "So-called" is an attempt to weaken the term. "Yet another" is trying to imply that there were previous actions that were also "gimmicks." (Writing a letter to congress is a "gimmick?")

"designed to punish elected and administration officials"

This is a deflection of blame and criticism away from themselves to congress. Guess they're not true friends after all.

"who are working diligently"

They are pointing out that the congress who can't get anything done has a chance here to look like they're doing something and they want us to stop being so hard on them and just give them this chance to save their careers.

"to protect American jobs from foreign criminals."

Of course, "jobs" is the buzzword of the year so that's no surprise. The big old "American" and "foreign criminals" is an appeal to nationalism and patriotism. They went one step short of saying "terrorists." That might have worked ten years ago.

"It is our hope"

"Hope" here shows that they doubt this will work.

"that the White House and the Congress will call on those who intend to stage this �blackout� to stop the hyperbole and PR stunts"

Again with the deflection. "You guys tell them, we're too scared to."

"and engage in meaningful efforts to combat piracy.�

They are implying that they are engaging in some efforts but those efforts are not meaningful. Notice they didn't say "effective." "Meaningful", implies moral righteousness which gels with their line that "piracy is illegal" and therefore must be stopped - no matter if it's actually harmful or the laws practical to enforce.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bengie, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:32pm

Cigs
Cigarettes are good for you!!! rable rable rable! can't hear you!

Denail
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Justin Olbrantz (Quantam), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:32pm

Re:
You have to go waaaaay down the list of biggest sites in the world to find anything that doesn't benefit financially from piracy to some extent. Linked In (#16) is the only one on the top 50 (counting only ones whose titles are in English and thus that I can read; and 50 is where I stopped looking) that plausibly does not derive any income from piracy.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Mesonoxian Eve (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:36pm

Perhaps the reason the MPAA is in denial is these sites are redirecting the IP addresses associated with the MPAA to a site that still looks like no position has been taken.

As for Wikipedia, this one's obvious: they'll never look for facts, so this site's foreign to them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Keii (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:42pm

It seems like this has happened all before...
Anyone remember Baghdad Bob? I don't know why I was suddenly reminded of him...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
joseph evers, 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:43pm

http://encyclopediadramatica.ch is joining in the protest too, they get over 10 million unique visitors a month.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 1:48pm

Re: Re:
Linked In? Come on, all those resumes are copied and slightly modified.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rekrul, 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:04pm

Amazon? The site doesn't look any different to me.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:04pm

Re: Reuters
Wow, the MPAA stealing someone else's words for their own ends....that's never happened before...

/s
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Richard (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:07pm

Re: It seems like this has happened all before...
I already noted Comical Ali!

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120116/14480017423/sopapipa-how-far-weve-come-how-far-we- need-to-go.shtml#c929
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:08pm

Re: Re: Re: Quick Fact Check
It is in MAFIAAland.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:09pm

Re:
Wikipedia is still a "large site" though by pretty much anyone's definition.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:11pm

Re:
Amazon? The site doesn't look any different to me.

They have small link in the upper right hand corner that links to NetCoalition.com. So, yeah, not a whole lot of support there, but, some is better than none.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:12pm

Re: Re:
Well, apparently not "anyone".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:13pm

Re: Cigs
Denail: not just what they put in coffins.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:14pm

Re:
I don't think thats what he meant. They aren't supposed to let on that they want to shut down all the movers and doers until after nothing can be done about it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:19pm

Re: Re:
You have to go waaaaay down the list of biggest sites in the world to find anything that doesn't benefit financially from piracy to some extent.

And what does that tell you?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:25pm

Re: Re:
How big is Stumble Upon? They seem to be getting into this as well. Is anyone else getting nothing but anti SOPA/PIPA stuff?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Quick Fact Check
That's only a difference of 96,715 websites between Reddit and the MPAA. Totally a negligible amount.

Actually, if you use MPAA/RIAA Standard Accounting Procedures, the MPAA website is 27 places ahead of Reddit because MPAA hits count as 4 each (the same way their astroturfing group counts stuff).
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:29pm

Silly boy, those aren't the big sites...the big sites are
RIAA.COM
MPAA.COM
SONY.COM
BSA.COM
etc...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:42pm

Re:
I was about to say pretty much the same thing actually.

As far as I can tell, they only consider their sites as 'Big sites', and since they obviously haven't joined the blackout, it means that no big sites have.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 2:52pm

MPAA is underestimating the reach of internet...is not just not the big sites not blacking bout...but rather, the unification of the small, medium and big protesters what is causing this strike...of course, they refuse to admit when to give up.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
bjupton (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:22pm

Re:
Well, RIAA.com is dedicated to piracy. They should be shut down.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111221/03240317155/riaas-response-to-infringement-via-its-ip-addr ess-is-to-note-someone-else-did-it.shtml
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BeeAitch (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:25pm

Re: Re: Re:
That "piracy" isn't actually a big deal?

Welcome to the fold, brother.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
WDS (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:30pm

A defense?
Maybe Google could use this in their Anti-Trust defense.

"How could we possibly be guilty of anti-trust violations, when we don't have enough traffic to be counted as a 'Big' site?"
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:30pm

Here in Canada I saw only one small article about the blackout and it also indicated only small insignificant sites were participating. Of course it was in the sun...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Justin Olbrantz (Quantam), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:31pm

Re: Re: Re:
"And what does that tell you?"

That the people passing laws that go after anyone deriving any benefit from piracy are absolutely and completely clueless. That almost everything - including the old media industries - derives some level of financial benefit from piracy, and it's extremely difficult to find something that doesn't to any extent.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BeeAitch (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:36pm

Re: Yet Another Analysis of the MPAA's Statement
Going for 'most insightful comment of 2012'? ;)

Brilliant dissection of the "message"!!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Grae (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:37pm

Make Magazine has joined as well: makezine.com
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jay (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 3:44pm

@MPAA
Hey MPAA! I would like to be avle to see things fom your point of view, but I can't get my head that far up my A$$.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PrometheeFeu (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 4:06pm

Re:
They are perfectly right. I checked and the big players are not participating. None of the top search engines (www.yahoo.com, www.altavista.com, www.lycos.com) or the biggest social networking site (www.myspace.com) are participating. It's a complete failure! Google? Wikipedia? Whoever heard of those guys?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PrometheeFeu (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 4:07pm

OK, I have a nasty question: are you protesting with the ugly grey background or is it just a CSS error?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rapnel (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 4:58pm

Re: Yet Another Analysis of the MPAA's Statement
Gosh, I hope you're wearing a rubbershirt too because I wouldn't want to get any on ya.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 4:59pm

Re: Re: Reuters
Because of this I am very proud to be an American and live here. I hope that that what went on today will awaken the sleeping giant that IS the population of the USA.

Sad, but probably not. I cry for My Country.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 5:37pm

I'm just gonna leave this here.
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1166/blackoutwin.jpg
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 6:04pm

They've been throwing a tantrum by saying that Google and Wikipedia are abusing their power. Now that more people are joining in, they're sticking fingers in their ears saying that none of them matter.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 6:44pm

Re: Wikipedia
"people upset about Wikipedia outage"

Wikipedia did not have an outage. All you had to do was turn off JavaScript and Wikipedia worked just fine. Wikipedia even told you that in their message about SOPA/PIPA.

Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2012 @ 6:51pm

This... statement... is... false!
Google is too big!
SOPA protesters are pawns of Google!
SOPA protests have no big sites backing them!

If I didn't know better, I'd swear they thought we were AIs, and were trying to use logical paradoxes on us.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
LC (profile), 18 Jan 2012 @ 6:52pm

I didn't think it was humanely possible to stick ones head up their own ass. But MPAA has clearly proven me wrong.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Callavan, 18 Jan 2012 @ 7:23pm

I'm sorry, what's a MPAA again?

XD
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Forgotten Voter, 19 Jan 2012 @ 12:08am

Re: Re: Re:
As has been said by this site many times in the past, the answer to piracy isn't passing stupid, draconion laws

Its this:

Piracy is a service problem.
The way to defeat piracy is to
provide a better service than the pirates.

Not take a shit on the First Amendment!

-source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvXo4sGB7zM&feature=share
[ link to this | view in thread ]
DoN0tReply (profile), 19 Jan 2012 @ 1:37am

Re: Yet Another Analysis of the MPAA's Statement
Brilliant diagnosis rubberpants :)

Saving that along with my copy of the original statement.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jan 2012 @ 2:49am

Re: Re: Wikipedia
I hope the "reading comprehension" comment wasn't aimed at me personally. I know Wikipedia did not have an outage. I'm merely quoting and stating what was being tweeted from the MPAA Twitter account.

And the "Wikipedia outage" was from one of their tweets. As were "reports" that people were upset about this and blah blah blah. It was pretty far fetched and truly grasping at straws to denounce/belittle today's events.

Like I said, they were putting a spin on everything going on today, as well as things that have been happening lately.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Josef Anvil (profile), 19 Jan 2012 @ 6:26am

misunderstanding
They meant bigsites.com. There you can find the most fun, silly, and cool sites on the web. Without them in the protest, it all seems so meaningless.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jan 2012 @ 7:12am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
We have already driven ootb away but I'll still repeat it for the lulz:

The solution is a /better/ business model!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jan 2012 @ 9:23am

Re:
encylopaedia metallum did toO!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Luke Witnesser, 19 Jan 2012 @ 6:46pm

Here lies the truth about SOPA/PIPA that Techdirt has not been reporting: what MPAA, RIAA, and Hollywood execs do not want you to see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJIuYgIvKsc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzS5rSvZXe8

The truth behind why these big companies responsible for SOPA and PIPA are also responsible for piracy itself is far more insidious than even TechDirt realizes.
[ link to this | view in thread ]