Alright yall, I'm sure you've all heard of SOPA, and the large amount of people protesting against it. Normally I don't get involved in something like this, but since it affects my everyday life, I probably should.
SOPA will give the government the right to block any site that has or links to copyrighted content. The IP Address will become unavailable, and blacklisted.
"If someone throws a link to a piece of pirated material in the comments section of a post on EQD for example, it gives the government the ability to add it to the list of "rogue websites". A pony PMV would be grounds for shutdown."
--Equestria Daily
On November 15, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Twitter, Zynga, eBay, Mozilla, and LinkedIn wrote a letter to key members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, reading that SOPA poses "a serious risk to our industry's continued track record of innovation and job creation, as well as to our nation's cybersecurity."
Streaming of copywritten work would be a felony. Videos that have music in the background are given a chance at jailtime. Technically, it's already illegal, but the punishment is greatly increased.
Almost every site on the internet will be greatly affected. Including here, SWGO, and a majority of forums. Social Media sites like Myspace and Facebook will be held 100% liable for what their users post.
"To promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes."
--Stop Online Piracy Act
Reddit users has already compiled a list of the IP addresses of popular sites so you can type those in instead of the URL.
http://www.reddit.com/r/SOPA/comments/n ... ency_list/
So technically, you can still access the blocked sites if you know the IP, which kind of defeats the point of the bill. If they wanted to, the government or private citizens could add a pirated link just for the sake of wanting the site to be blocked.
"The massive outcry against this bill on internet has hopefully influenced it's demise somewhat, but you can help by tossing your two cents. Hit up this website and fill out the submission form. Read up on it, and spread the word. The internet IS freedom. Anyone can speak their mind to the masses. Get out there and make it known!"
--Equestria Daily