The US Stop Online Piracy Act: A primer

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221920/The_US_Stop_Online_Piracy_Act_A_primer

By Grant Gross
IDG News Service
November 16, 2011

The Stop Online Piracy Act, the subject of a hearing before the U.S. 
House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Wednesday, has generated 
heated debate since lawmakers introduced it on Oct. 26.

The bill, called SOPA, would allow the U.S. Department of Justice and 
copyright holders to seek court orders requiring online advertising 
networks, payment processors and other organizations to stop payments to 
websites and Web-based services accused of copyright infringement.

Supporters of SOPA argue that U.S. law enforcement officials need new 
tools to fight websites, particularly foreign sites, that sell 
infringing products, including music, movies, clothing and medicine. 
Some infringing products are dangerous; others cost U.S. companies 
billions of dollars a year, supporters say.

Current copyright enforcement laws in the U.S. have little effect on 
hundreds of foreign websites that sell counterfeit products or pirated 
music and movies, SOPA supporters say. While U.S. law enforcement 
officials can shut down infringing sites in the U.S., they generally 
can't reach foreign sites, supporters say.

"The sale of counterfeit products and piracy of copyrighted content 
online not only undermines our nation's economy [but also] robs state 
and local governments of much-needed tax revenue and jobs," Washington 
state Attorney General Rob McKenna said in a statement released 
Wednesday. "Even worse, some counterfeit goods can pose serious health 
and safety hazards to consumers. Rogue sites legislation seeks to clamp 
down on this scourge."

Opponents of the bill argue it would empower litigious copyright holders 
to seek court orders targeting many legitimate websites, including sites 
with user-generated content such as Twitter and YouTube. The legislation 
would overturn the notice-and-takedown process in the Digital Millennium 
Copyright Act, and would slow U.S. technology innovation, with new 
Web-based services likely targeted by copyright holders, critics say.

SOPA would lead to censorship of legitimate websites and protected free 
speech on sites that may contain some infringing content, critics say. 
The bill is inconsistent with the U.S. Department of State's push for 
Internet freedom worldwide, they say.

[...]


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