MPAA Directly & Publicly Threatens Politicians Who Aren't Corrupt Enough To Stay Bought

ESA Tucks Its Tail Between Its Legs And Pulls SOPA Support

from the can't-be-unpopular dept

Fri, Jan 20th 2012 5:22pm — Zachary Knight

The SOPA protests certainly seem to be having their desired effect. We have already seen both SOPA and PIPA shelved, while support within the House and Senate is eroding fast. And now that support is eroding outside Congress, as well. The ESA is the first industry trade group to see the writing on the wall and has now pulled its support of SOPA and PIPA. Sadly, it seems that this statement rings hollow.

From the beginning, ESA has been committed to the passage of balanced legislation to address the illegal theft of intellectual property found on foreign rogue sites.

If the ESA was interested in a balanced approach to the issue of copyright infringement, it would have been looking somewhere other than SOPA and PIPA. We have documented repeatedly that this legislation was far from balanced. From the writing of the legislation, to debating the legislation, to amending the legislation. No one other than supporters of the legislation were given the time of day. None of the opposition's concerns were addressed. Balanced legislation would have been where more than one side had a voice.

Although the need to address this pervasive threat to our industry's creative investment remains, concerns have been expressed about unintended consequences stemming from the current legislative proposals.

You are just now hearing those concerns? We have been voicing them for a while now. Even members of your own VGVN were voicing their concerns. How could you possibly have missed them? From the very moment SOPA and PIPA were released, people have raised concerns. If you actually cared about those concerns, you would have been opposed to the legislation from the beginning.

Accordingly, we call upon Congress, the Obama Administration, and stakeholders to refocus their energies on producing a solution that effectively balances both creative and technology interests. As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection and are committed to working with all parties to encourage a balanced solution.

I would also love for all stakeholders, that means everyone, not just entertainment companies and a handful of tech companies, to be involved in this discussion. However, unlike the ESA, I think the first item of business should be actually figuring out what the problem is. The ESA may think the problem is not enough enforcement power over copyright infringement, but we know that is not the case. We already have a solution that balances both creative and technological interests: solving your business model problems. As long as you are looking for a solution that involves increased enforcement, you will not succeed in this modern age.

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Filed Under: pipa, protect ip, sopa
Companies: esa

29 Comments

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Mora, 20 Jan 2012 @ 5:45pm

It's all in the timing...
A little too late, isn't it?
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KingFisher, 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:04pm

They should have known
Seriously this is the ESA we're talking about here. The Electronic Software Association. They should have definitely known the consequences to this, they are part of the tech community. Either ESA is totally ignorant about the facts, believing that they truely are protecting creators rights, or they know exactly what they are doing and what the faults are and are intentionally trying to screw people over. For me, I believe that the ESA knew plenty on the functionality of the internet, yet with that knowledge they continued to push the SOPA bill forward because they knew it would be a sure way for control. Software companies like the ESA deal with the internet on a daily basis (all the MMO games). I agree with Mike that they simply don't care about the opposition's side, but I disagree on the fact that the ESA was ignorant to how the internet works. They knew how it works and tried to reap it and control it as much as possible.
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tsavory (profile), 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:13pm

Nothing New
This is nothing new at all they wanted to be able to KILL competitors end of story.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:16pm

Re: It's all in the timing...
Yes.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:18pm

Re: They should have known
Most software guys I know have zero knowledge or understanding of networking. In fact, they're very myopic as far as tech minds go.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:18pm

Re: They should have known
Most software guys I know have zero knowledge or understanding of networking. In fact, they're very myopic as far as tech minds go.
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Billionairechronicles, 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:22pm

Billionaires created SOPA - - and fought against it
Hollywood, MLB, NFL, NBA in favor - - Gates, Zuckerberg, Google Guys etc. opposed.
http://www.billionairechronicles.net/billionaires-split-sopa
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gorehound (profile), 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:26pm

Re: They should have known
I also believe they knew what they were doing and they would still be supporting it but it is now Toxic.
The best thing for me to do is I have a list of those who did support SOPA/PIPA and even if they decided to leave that boat I won't forget they were on it.
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Yartrebo (profile), 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:38pm

The ESA represents only large software corporations, just like the MPAA represents only large film studios.

Considering that censorship and hefty regulations typically hit smaller competitors and upstarts the hardest, I'm pretty sure they'd still be supporting it if it weren't so toxic.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jan 2012 @ 6:58pm

It's to late to RUNAWAY we saw you ESA.
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Violated (profile), 20 Jan 2012 @ 7:18pm

The ESA said nothing there when it is all... Something happened, fine, ok, whatever.
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Mel (profile), 20 Jan 2012 @ 7:20pm

Picked a winner there ESA
That's kind of like picking the winner of the Super Bowl after the game is over.

Great, now I'm in trouble with the NFL for daring to use "Super Bowl" without their permission. Oops, I did it again.

... and now I'm in trouble with Britney Spears.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jan 2012 @ 10:15pm

"If the ESA was interested in a balanced approach to the issue of copyright infringement"

It would seek to substantially reduce copy protection lengths and infringement penalties. It would seek to increase penalties for false infringement claims. What we currently have is not balanced, its one sided in favor of IP extremists.
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Avi, 21 Jan 2012 @ 3:17am

Go easy on them
I think you should go easier on the ESA. Yeah, they're missing the point a bit, but ultimately they did what was smart and what we wanted: they pulled support from SOPA, and for that they should be commended.
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Luke Clifford, 21 Jan 2012 @ 3:20am

I think people are forgetting,
I think people are forgetting that Copyright infringement is a massive problem, we can't deny that in any way, Millions of dollars are left annualy, and thousands of jobs are lost. The Big companies supported it, because it was one of the first bills that would even begin to combat the problem. That's not what this was all about.

The way in which the bills intended to resolve the issue, was the reason SOPA and PIPA were such a problem!

Copyright infringement needs to be resolved, yes. It is still a crime, BUT, a compromise that does not infringe on anyones freedome needs to be made.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 5:27am

Re: I think people are forgetting,
citation needed
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dave blevins (profile), 21 Jan 2012 @ 6:09am

yeah but the US Chamber of Commerce is ...
... still running TV ads requesting viewers to call "your Congressmen" and tell 'em to pass SOPA and PIPA.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 6:22am

Re: I think people are forgetting,
I can't afford cable. Even if the internet is shut down completely and all my computers die and I no longer even own one, I still can't afford cable. Am I a lost sale? How many other people are like me? Salaries are stagnant and decreasing. Are you sure about those millions of dollars lost?
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:03pm

Re: Re: They should have known
that just shows you dont know shit, and certainly do not know any programmers.. your stupidity is no excuse, but a great explination.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:10pm

Re: Re: They should have known
or is it the fact that you only know FOSS/Linux 'programmers' who basically dont appear to know much about networking, programming, computers, economics, law, or how to get out of mum's basement !!!

at least you did not lie !!!! if you dont know any programmers, then I am sure the majority of those you dont know, also dont know anything about networking !!

are you a programmer ? do you know anything about networking ?

and if you are not a programmer, but know about networking, if you learnt programming would you "forget" about networking ?

Do you know what a programmer is ?

or are you talking about networking, as Amway talks about networking ?
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:11pm

Re: Re: They should have known
and that is going to make a difference how ?
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:13pm

Re: Picked a winner there ESA
just call it "supper bowl" then.....
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:14pm

Re: Re: I think people are forgetting,
open your fucking eyes !!!
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darryl, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:19pm

Re: Re: I think people are forgetting,
so, you cant afford cable...!!!!!! why is that a concernt of anyone else ?

Ofcourse that is a lie, you actually simply dont want to pay for something. If you cant afford cable, dont fucking have it, but done whine because you are a loser !!!

or use the lame excuse that because you are a loser that somehow gives you rights that people who are not total morons have.

You have a right to have cable, and if you pulled your finger out of your ass and got a job, you probably could be able to afford cable AND your porn and your computers at the same time...

No, we did not forget you cannot afford cable, it is not that we forgot, it is that we just dont care !!
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:40pm

We have documented repeatedly that this legislation was far from balanced.

you Stated that,,, but you did not prove it, simply stated it as an opinion. and who is "we" ??

because a "statement" from you (or "we") carries about the same weight as burnie maddoff telling you this is a great investment and to buy buy buy... (especially in that company called Enron)..

just because you "say" something, does not make it true, or accurate,,, or real..

In fact, usually when Masnick and his diciples 'state' something, you can be assured that it is total bullshit.... unproven rants by the noisy few who dont think they are going to get their way...

How many times did the US state that there were WMD's in Iraq ?

What did we all find ?? that like most things out of the US was total bullshit..

It is quite clear, that when it comes to Americans wanting to get their way, lying is second nature, and almost a requirement.

No one believes you yanks anymore, you lost all your international credability...

So dont ever think that just because some goober says something, that everyone else is going to believe you..

There is a good reason why you never present facts with your claims..

The truth and facts never come into the argument, do they !!!

as long as you can get what you want, it is ok to do what you like to achieve that.... and lying is cheap, and easy to do...

it is equally easy to catch, because you yanks, are not good liers,, especially when almost everything you state is a total lie.. it is not hard to see you for what you are...

but it is amusing to watch... to see how much more you can fuck up your country with your personal greed and your inability to state the truth, or even see the truth..

you dont think you are lying, you honestly believe what you say is true,, yes it is true, you are drinking your own coolaid...

America is going backwards, and has been for along time now... but you think you are doing just great... you've convinced yourselves of your own lies.,.. so now you can live fat, dumb and happy..

it's still funny,, and far more entertaining to see the once great US of A, fall from grace, and race towards a third world country... and it's not copyrighted !!!! :)

look at some of the things that are happening in the world, and look at the bullshit you pricks are whinning about..

clearly you have NO (ZERO, NONE) perspective on what is happening in the world.

You clearly think that as long as you can pirate your favorate movie, all will be ok in the world..

I wonder if you have a job ? (a real job) or not, and I wonder ifyou have any concept of the employment situation in the US, or some of the issues that ARE actually important ?

It is clear you dont have a clue... or you do, but have convinced yourself that your lies are true.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jan 2012 @ 10:52pm

Re: Re: Re: They should have known
Did you forget to login Darryl?
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jan 2012 @ 12:03pm

Re: Re: Re: I think people are forgetting,
don't look now derryl, but the Chinese just stole all your natural resources while you were ranting online about Hollywoods profit margins. You fucking retards.
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LC (profile), 22 Jan 2012 @ 7:17pm

Not good enough ESA
Too little, too late. Action is meaningless without words and whatnot, I've already had a whole rant about it when GoDaddy "withdrew" it's support and I CBFed repeating it.

I'll still will not be gracing E3 with my presence, and I encourage everyone to do the same. Sorry.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Jan 2012 @ 7:52am

Re: Re: Re: I think people are forgetting,
my eyes are open, still not seeing the citation
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