Stop censorship! Important read for all SmugMuggers.

Andy

Stop censorship and save the internet! TODAY, Congress is holding hearings on the first American Internet censorship system. If this bill passes, the internet, free speech, and SmugMug as we know it will be changed forever. You can take action now: http://www.mozilla.org/sopa has more info and also easy ways for you to reach your congresspeople with just a few clicks.

More
https://plus.google.com/u/0/118357019708110162087/posts/RPtpazDC8jU

Sam

While I did send them a message that will go unread or considered, I would recommend that should anyone out there have several large suitcases full of money try sending that to them it's a no fail American method of getting what you want.

Sam

Read quick. If this passes comments like this will not make it past the censors.

SamirD

Wow. First they want to keep admitting illegals, and now this. Who's running the country?!?!? I thought they were supposed to be our representatives.

If you look closer at this bill, its purpose is to protect copyright and Intellectual Property rights holders interests that are right now being exploited via using off-shore companies that the US justice system can't touch. This includes us as photographers. That Russian site that's ripped off all your images and is hosting them without your permission? Well, if this bill passes, Google has to remove link in their search engine to that site by law or you're entitled to damages. This would help the record companies, etc to recoup the money they've lost as the digital age as allowed pirating to erode their sales.

The problem with this bill is that it's gone too far, and has a lot of blanket clauses that do more harm than good. It needs revision with some involvement from all parties, not just the 'big media' that's behind the current version.

Link to the actual bill and important facts:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3261/show

denisegoldberg

Thanks for the links Andy, messages sent...

--- Denise

angevin1

Sorry, I just don't see the issue. What I see is what I read. If someone could specifically point to a particular issue that IS NOT out of context, that'd help me.

Thanks,

Sam

You all need to read the damn bill. Yes it will take an hour or so, and no you won't understand the whole thing, your not supposed to.

This bill is about way more than copyright protection. Read........if you still think it's a fine idea and you trust the elected royalty to do the right thing, your beyond help.

Sam

angevin1

Sam wrote: »

You all need to read the damn bill. Yes it will take an hour or so, and no you won't understand the whole thing, your not supposed to.

This bill is about way more than copyright protection. Read........if you still think it's a fine idea and you trust the elected royalty to do the right thing, your beyond help.

Sam

You are talking about the one that begins with, "....U.S.-directed foreign Internet site..." ?

Why would a Bill beginning with that in it's first sentence be a problem?

Angelo

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/sopa-internet-censorship-online-piracy-house-hearing_n_1098255.html

angevin1

Thanks for the added link. I followed a trail and fortunately am beginning to smell the coffee. I think Techdirt.com has the most comprehensive coverage I've seen.

Sam

angevin1 wrote: »

Thanks for the added link. I followed a trail and fortunately am beginning to smell the coffee. I think Techdirt.com has the most comprehensive coverage I've seen.

Tom,

From what I read on Techdirt.com your not yet smelling the coffee your only smelling the dirt the coffee will be planted in. There be a lot more in the bill.

Sam

angevin1

Sam wrote: »

Tom,

From what I read on Techdirt.com your not yet smelling the coffee your only smelling the dirt the coffee will be planted in. There be a lot more in the bill.

Sam

Oh. I read the Bill. I found it overall very benign based on my level of knowledge. What I do need though is our Congress to allow time for Industry mavens to come before them and tell us how this Bill will effect their particular part of the world. Those Industry types need to translate all this into everyday meaning for folks like me. And that's where the TechDirt articles began filling in the blanks for me. I thought the MasterCard exec was interesting amongst others.

And speaking out on Piracy....
I have a problem with a Glib statement from Google's executive officer like the one I quote here.

"....Schmidt said. ``We don't endorse it. Please don't do it. If you're doing it, stop. I hope that's very clear.''

As an Industry executive, I think He owes it to everyone to be a bit more persuasive in his rhetoric. Statements such as that are not persuasive at all to folks like me.

My only hope is that Congress does take the time necessary to flesh out the trouble with this Bill. I think there are legitimate concerns for all interested parties, but I think as with many other legislative pieces, there are some truly dark forces in support of this: As is; Pfizer is one that comes to mind.