This is perhaps the most important point in the article. The old adage "bad data in, bad data out" seems to apply here.
There are numerous examples of MPAA/RIAA loss estimates being legitimately debunked by learned individuals and prestigious institutions. The bad (overblown) MPAA/RIAA estimates resulted in bad (overreaching) bills. This isn't unique to just SOPA/PIPA or the MPAA/RIAA industries. It seems to be business as usual in Washington, where any industry who contributes a lot of money to a campaign fund can get any legislation passed using false information.
We have a lot of work ahead of us to try to change this behavior. See the petition a whitehouse.gov requesting validation of the MPAA/RIAA industry loss estimates, and please sign it if you agree!
My thoughts exactly. It's becomming clear that Lamar Smith thinks only of himself in all aspects of his daily life. It's what he is at his core. He simply can't comprehend the idea of standing up for other people's rights.
The issue with SOPA is not what the bill says, but what it doesn't say. We're all familiar with the abuse that has occurred under current laws such as the DMCA. We've seen the results of RIAA lawsuits against grandmothers argued before luddite judges. We've seen the degree to which MPAA/RIAA is willing to go to get what they want. What SOPA does not say will be construed by MPAA/RIAA and our judicial system as open to interpretation, at which point whomever as the most money will win.
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Data Driven Regulation
There are numerous examples of MPAA/RIAA loss estimates being legitimately debunked by learned individuals and prestigious institutions. The bad (overblown) MPAA/RIAA estimates resulted in bad (overreaching) bills. This isn't unique to just SOPA/PIPA or the MPAA/RIAA industries. It seems to be business as usual in Washington, where any industry who contributes a lot of money to a campaign fund can get any legislation passed using false information.
We have a lot of work ahead of us to try to change this behavior. See the petition a whitehouse.gov requesting validation of the MPAA/RIAA industry loss estimates, and please sign it if you agree!
Re: like the fourth dimension
The issue with SOPA is not what the bill says, but what it doesn't say. We're all familiar with the abuse that has occurred under current laws such as the DMCA. We've seen the results of RIAA lawsuits against grandmothers argued before luddite judges. We've seen the degree to which MPAA/RIAA is willing to go to get what they want. What SOPA does not say will be construed by MPAA/RIAA and our judicial system as open to interpretation, at which point whomever as the most money will win.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Heretictus.
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