http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/

 

Link doesn't work.

Will this bill be directed at torrent sites as well as sites like megupload and so on?

 

The protect IP act will destroy the internet as we know it. It will quell any drop of self expression on the internet. Media sites will be slain such as youtube, soundcloud, twitter, facebook, google+, etc. Search engines will be under unprecendented pressure to censor their search engines. ISP's will be forced to censor their networks.

It works essentially by handing over the internet to media companies, allowing them to prosecute to the fullest extent they choose of any 'infringement of copy[wrong]right and IP'. This means if you do a youtube news show, and you have a 20 second info song of Journey; you will be sued. If you record yourself singing Seal in the bathroom, you will be sued. If you even have music in the background of a video you will be sued. Further more search engines will be sued for not censoring your video through their search engines. Then the hosts will be shut down. Keep in mind ALL infringers from the top down, will be prosecuted as a federal crime. Of course this also does apply also to torrent sites; but other sites that link to torrent sites, and all file sharing sites.

This is a direct assault on the internet, free speech, free thought, and sharing of those thoughts. This is a bill for lobbyists, by lobbyists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxPQ320jBLc
(A law professor discussing SOPA/PIPA)

And of course, my buddies aren't happy about it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czY-dZQsd-k&hd=1

 

Site is down. Not a good sign.

 

Site works fine.

This kind of censorship masquerading as "protection" will never go away. It is convenient for certain parties to argue that since legitimate businesses use the internet for commerce, the internet should be restricted and controlled to benefit only those legitimate busnesses. Which isn't any different than suggesting that since established, legitimate businesses own property, all property should be restricted to use by established, legitimate businesses only. Sounds good on paper because it implies "non-legitimate" businesses will be restricted. But what it really means is non-businesses and any new businesses will be restricted as if that serves a greater good.

There is no compelling need for this type of legislation, and plenty of reason why it should not be enacted. Anyone who owns a business should be up in arms, because such restrictions on content or access will only hurt.

 

So can anyone say what type of sites will be affected or is it deliberately vague?

 

It's deliberately vague to mean; any site.

 

Initially, I believe torrent sites will be targeted, then bigger sites like vimeo, youtube, etc.

 

I don't use torrents anymore however I do frequent sites that use file hosting/link sharing as a means of distributing music and television broadcasts.... just wondering what the fate will be for places like megaupload, filesonic, rapidshare, etc.

 

Everything will move to offshore hosting where they can give the finger to takedown notices in the US. Things will continue as usual, but with more spyware/adware/virus problems. Just my guess.

Welcome to the USA, where our technology bills are written by lobbyists and passed by a bunch of complete idiots who don't understand the first thing about these here crazy intertube webs facetwitterspace and such.