SOPA
Hi everyone! We usually refrain from posting anything political or US-based on the site, but this is an important one. Right now in the US we are debating a bill called SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). This bill would give the government sweeping power to shut down websites that appear to be breaking any copyright.
An example of this would be if a user on Subeta posted a copyright picture, video, or song in the forums, the entire site of Subeta could be shut down until that issue is resolved. Right now, we are simply contacted by the owner and asked to remove the offending post, item, in a way that doesn't impact the rest of the users on Subeta.
Some of my favorite websites (TUMBLR!!!) have already said it would be impossible for them to run under the rules that SOPA sets up, and would most likely have to be shut down or entirely change their services.
Here is an excellent article from Lifehacker that tells you exactly what SOPA is, and what it will do to the sites that you visit daily. here is a site with petitions and other information that will help you contact the appropriate people, should you feel so inclined.
Anyway, thanks for reading! Like I said, I wouldn't post this here if it didn't directly have an impact on the way that we run Subeta, and on the way that the other sites that you visit would also have to change. As always, I suggest you read the bill yourself so you can make an educated choice on how you feel about what it does.
Posted by Keith
Molly
The fact that the SOPA will categorize the streaming of copyrighted content as a felony is ridiculous and either impractically costly or thoroughly unenforceable. I've ranted so long and hard about this on my tumblr. Thanks for posting this, Keith.
If they accept this, we can say bye-bye to the whole internet and that would affect EVERYONE, not only USA.
What about the sheer amount of people that will make false claims out of spite to get sites shut down - tons of money it'll cost for the manpower and resources we DO NOT have in our budget as it is!! Not to mention the fiscal impact it would make on businesses to have their sites shut down randomly.
I signed the petition. I'm not from the US and it feels like I can't do much about this but I will do what I can.
LucaAlverez is completely right.
The only country that I am aware of that regulates the internet is North Korea, and, well... look how well they function as a country.
I'm not American, but this is relevant to me and many others that do not live in America as many popular sites run out of the US.
Give me every petition you got.
The only country that I am aware of that regulates the internet is North Korea, and, well... look how well they function as a country.
I'm not American, but this is relevant to me and many others that do not live in America as many popular sites run out of the US.
Give me every petition you got.
Thank you for posting this Keith... just shows how much the government wants control over something they can't. Even if this bill is past I guarantee people will find ways around it.
I love how if you read the bill one of the first things you see is "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impose a prior restraint on free speech..." contradiction much?
I love how if you read the bill one of the first things you see is "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impose a prior restraint on free speech..." contradiction much?
This is a great video about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJIuYgIvKsc
It's amazing the stuff you find out sometimes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJIuYgIvKsc
It's amazing the stuff you find out sometimes.
Well the only thing I could think would be to move the site and all its server to somewhere where you can use it and not be stopped by bigoted bill-voters D:
I really hope for the world's sake they vote no, regardless if they read petitions or not. Also, who in their healthy mind comes up with this D:
I really hope for the world's sake they vote no, regardless if they read petitions or not. Also, who in their healthy mind comes up with this D:
Seconding LucaAlverez's comment on information for non-Americans and how they can help with this. :(
I've tried to search on things, but it seems there is not much interest/concern here in Asia in particular. :/
I've tried to search on things, but it seems there is not much interest/concern here in Asia in particular. :/
Ahh well done America. Most 'big' sites are American. I'm British and I don't want to be affected by American bills when we have our own to worry about in this country - like the stupidly high rise in tuition fees (thank god for grants). Without a doubt, Youtube would be shut down, tonnes of social networking sites would probably be shut down and it's even going to extend here? Does 'world wide web' mean nothing to congress? This is actually insane...
I just read an article that some legislator said that petition votes don't count because this bill only directs to non-american copyright thiefs...
Yeah doesn't make sense either. If a petition has enough votes/names, it has to be taken seriously. This also just proves that the legislators don't understand their own bill or how their own government works. That is a scary thought in the matter.
If this goes through, the internet will be no more, though I highly doubt this will ever happen for the mass protests that will happen world wide.
I use youtube to find new artist/bands, but because those are copyrighted, youtube will be such down.
Another way to explain the outrageous bill is like this;
Lets say you get into a car crash with another person. The car they are driving is a honda. Because they were driving a honda, that whole company gets shut down.
The bill wants to punish the whole website because of the acts of a handful of people that abuse the very few and simple rules to uphold by.
Not fair at all.
Yeah doesn't make sense either. If a petition has enough votes/names, it has to be taken seriously. This also just proves that the legislators don't understand their own bill or how their own government works. That is a scary thought in the matter.
If this goes through, the internet will be no more, though I highly doubt this will ever happen for the mass protests that will happen world wide.
I use youtube to find new artist/bands, but because those are copyrighted, youtube will be such down.
Another way to explain the outrageous bill is like this;
Lets say you get into a car crash with another person. The car they are driving is a honda. Because they were driving a honda, that whole company gets shut down.
The bill wants to punish the whole website because of the acts of a handful of people that abuse the very few and simple rules to uphold by.
Not fair at all.
@Jinjah
That's assuming the people debating have any actual interest in the bill and what it really entails, which is unfortunately not the case. About a handful of the representatives really seem to understand what this bill is all about and the negative consequences, but that's about it. I'm not even kidding when I say one of them debated against having experts brought because it would muddy the issue; when they themselves don't even seem to understand basic things that are being presented in this bill. The chairman himself appears to be completely in favour of driving this thing through, and apparently a good number of amendments suggested to make the bill less harsh have been shot down. I've been watching these debates live, and honestly it's quite appalling.
That's assuming the people debating have any actual interest in the bill and what it really entails, which is unfortunately not the case. About a handful of the representatives really seem to understand what this bill is all about and the negative consequences, but that's about it. I'm not even kidding when I say one of them debated against having experts brought because it would muddy the issue; when they themselves don't even seem to understand basic things that are being presented in this bill. The chairman himself appears to be completely in favour of driving this thing through, and apparently a good number of amendments suggested to make the bill less harsh have been shot down. I've been watching these debates live, and honestly it's quite appalling.
I don't live in the US, but the ties between the country I live in and the US (blatant and clandestine) may actually affect legislation here, and SOPA may thus be also put in effect. I don't know about my other roots where I can possibly run if SOPA will be passed here *coughSpaincough*, but I've been spreading word where I can. People here aren't alarmed though, and they say I'm being brainwashed by American propaganda.
Subeta IS however, a US-based site, and news of SOPA has been circulating around tumblr. However, I know that a lot of netizens in Asia like me probably aren't very aware about the consequences that this bill may bring about.
I wish there was a way I could actually help out and stop the bill. For the record, if it gets passed here, or if they think about it, I will seriously be going out in the streets.
Nonetheless, even if I only know a little bit about American legislation and constitution, from what I have learned in class, SOPA isn't quite a constitutional move. It's also illegal according to the laws and constitutions of various other countries.
With how many people in this place who would want to copy the US in every way and form, I'm alarmed that it might spread through other parts of the globe as well. True, the masses can oppose it here, but the government never listens to the masses anyway.
I have been talking about this with other people, and their main theory is that US-based sites who would be otherwise closed down due to the bill may not have to close or change their services if they're hosted on a country in which the SOPA or any similar bills wouldn't take effect. Yes, it will cost a bit more for Subeta and many other sites, but possibly this can be considered?
I think a small and bad country like mine can't really help the American citizens in a more tangible way against this bill, given that we depend on the US too much. OR, is it actually possible for a non-US citizen/national to petition to Congress as well?
Subeta IS however, a US-based site, and news of SOPA has been circulating around tumblr. However, I know that a lot of netizens in Asia like me probably aren't very aware about the consequences that this bill may bring about.
I wish there was a way I could actually help out and stop the bill. For the record, if it gets passed here, or if they think about it, I will seriously be going out in the streets.
Nonetheless, even if I only know a little bit about American legislation and constitution, from what I have learned in class, SOPA isn't quite a constitutional move. It's also illegal according to the laws and constitutions of various other countries.
With how many people in this place who would want to copy the US in every way and form, I'm alarmed that it might spread through other parts of the globe as well. True, the masses can oppose it here, but the government never listens to the masses anyway.
I have been talking about this with other people, and their main theory is that US-based sites who would be otherwise closed down due to the bill may not have to close or change their services if they're hosted on a country in which the SOPA or any similar bills wouldn't take effect. Yes, it will cost a bit more for Subeta and many other sites, but possibly this can be considered?
I think a small and bad country like mine can't really help the American citizens in a more tangible way against this bill, given that we depend on the US too much. OR, is it actually possible for a non-US citizen/national to petition to Congress as well?
Is it an option to move websites out of american jurisdiction, by changing the place they are hosted? I know for instance that a download site I use has changed from a .com to a .me extension.
Saphyr: This. I mean we in Sweden would probably get somthing as well since impact can be huge heeon such stuff and then EUwould porbablytake after since they only rule about that and not important stuff D:
I already contacted my representation and the only person I heard back from is is support and doesn't seem at all concerned by the broad language used in the bill, ahaha. /:
At least they pushed back the SUDDEN DEC. 21ST meeting about it.
At least they pushed back the SUDDEN DEC. 21ST meeting about it.
This must be stopped. If something like this will be in the U.S., after a while it will be in other countries too.
What I'd like to see is information directed at non-American citizens to tell us what we can do to help. As a Canadian citizen and a native English speaker the majority of the sites that I do visit on a regular basis are owned and operated by US citizens. A bill like this being passed could not only shut down those sites, but kill international business among other things.
For instance - and I use this example because I believe people will take it more to heart - perhaps I had invested some money into advertising for my business here on Subeta. I have advertisements up and it's helping to start things going... and then a 'claim' is made on one of infinite pages on the site... First - that's a period of time that there's no financial income. Second - that's invested money gone completely to waste, potentially over a bogus claim.
The internet is a multicultural, multi-minded, but singular entity. To allow it to even in part be severed is going to cause severe, irrepairable damage. US citizen, Canadian citizen, Turkish citizen, who knows? The internet is where we are all HERE. All of us. Beyond countries. This is the place where countries don't exist anymore. Isn't that part of the point? An information-communication highway? Sorry guys. They've thrown a few toll bridges into the mix. And if you look suspicious they might just arrest you for the hell of it.
Sorry, two AM, I'm exhausted, and SOPA is continuing to make me furious.
For instance - and I use this example because I believe people will take it more to heart - perhaps I had invested some money into advertising for my business here on Subeta. I have advertisements up and it's helping to start things going... and then a 'claim' is made on one of infinite pages on the site... First - that's a period of time that there's no financial income. Second - that's invested money gone completely to waste, potentially over a bogus claim.
The internet is a multicultural, multi-minded, but singular entity. To allow it to even in part be severed is going to cause severe, irrepairable damage. US citizen, Canadian citizen, Turkish citizen, who knows? The internet is where we are all HERE. All of us. Beyond countries. This is the place where countries don't exist anymore. Isn't that part of the point? An information-communication highway? Sorry guys. They've thrown a few toll bridges into the mix. And if you look suspicious they might just arrest you for the hell of it.
Sorry, two AM, I'm exhausted, and SOPA is continuing to make me furious.
Yes, I heard about this on TGWTG.com, and still find in unbearably scary in ways I almost can't comprehend.:(
I really hope they plan on debating this one HEAVILY, because it needs some serious tweaking.
I really hope they plan on debating this one HEAVILY, because it needs some serious tweaking.
Dear Keith -
Thank you so much for posting near neutrally about it, telling us how it would effect Subeta, and then not telling us what to do but giving us resources to stop it and advising us to read it and read about it to make a good decision we agree with ourselves.
That basically rocks and I really appreciate it because normally when stuff like this comes up, people flip their lids and shove panic at everyone, and all I hear is OMG HELP ME DO THE THING I THINK IS RIGHT YOU MUST THINK IT IS RIGHT TOO.
I understand the logic behind this bill - it's incredibly faulty and horribly done, hardly thought out at all, probs made by some crazy extremist - and I hope they come up with something more subtle to stop piracy, but I certainly don't agree with this bill.
Thank you so much for posting near neutrally about it, telling us how it would effect Subeta, and then not telling us what to do but giving us resources to stop it and advising us to read it and read about it to make a good decision we agree with ourselves.
That basically rocks and I really appreciate it because normally when stuff like this comes up, people flip their lids and shove panic at everyone, and all I hear is OMG HELP ME DO THE THING I THINK IS RIGHT YOU MUST THINK IT IS RIGHT TOO.
I understand the logic behind this bill - it's incredibly faulty and horribly done, hardly thought out at all, probs made by some crazy extremist - and I hope they come up with something more subtle to stop piracy, but I certainly don't agree with this bill.
wtf this is still going on? Ugh :| I've already signed the petition.
America, please stop trying to control everything. I love my country, but geez xD
America, please stop trying to control everything. I love my country, but geez xD
This is idiotic. I'm not American, but I visit many US sites (duh), and it would be such a shame if they all were closed because of some stupid bill :( Hold on, guys!
Thanks for posting this.
Everyone should definitely look at this bill, if they haven't already. :T
Everyone should definitely look at this bill, if they haven't already. :T
Big Brother is watching you!!!
And does anyone know about fan pets? Or backgrounds? And how does this work with the whole "fair use" policy and such?
And does anyone know about fan pets? Or backgrounds? And how does this work with the whole "fair use" policy and such?
The Bill will undoubtedly be debated so your concerns will be addressed and the Bill amended so it will become less extreme. Meanwhile it is probably sensible to avoid any obvious breach of copyright. Just as you protect your site by copyright, I'm sure artists, writers etc would like their work protected. Their needs to be a balance.
Thank you for actually posting the link! As well as the links to other information concerning the bill. There was a friend of mine going on about how the bill shuts off any site with a login "unless you pay!" to prevent piracy. I couldn't believe that, since that would deny everything but this is still pretty unbelievable. I feel that artists won't even be able to run websites, if this passes, since many of us will create fan art (ie. DeviantART would be screwed, my website would be, Facebook wouldn't have Disney week anymore...)
I feel that everyone in the states that's aware of this should make an outcry against this bill, and even if you don't live in the US, any voice is a voice that could help. I don't want to see the states turn into a 1984 world.
I feel that everyone in the states that's aware of this should make an outcry against this bill, and even if you don't live in the US, any voice is a voice that could help. I don't want to see the states turn into a 1984 world.
Oh my Goodness, when will legislators learn you have to adapt to new technologies, not try and treat them like a moonshine joint you can shut down? I'll be watching this one closely, a lot of countries (Like my dear ol' Australia) look to American legislation for guidance. These laws really make it seem like the US government doesn't actually grasp how the internet works....
Similar thing was proposed in Italy but flagged down as anticostitutional, thus nothing was done, I hope this one would be too!
Thanks for posting this! I am grateful that you usually avoid political issues, but this is very relevant to Subeta and needed to be said.
I really hate this government. They're deaf. They'll probably ignore us until we have no choice but to pull out some duct tape and baseball bats. :/
Instead of shutting down the internet, companies should be smart and use piracy as extra advertisements, and then find a way to reward people who did buy their stuff.
Like: watch our movie in a cinema and recieve X. Buy 10 movies of this brand and get X. Buy this and have a chance to win a free trip to X. Buy this and have a chance to meet actor X.
Oh man, I can make up lots of these things.
Like: watch our movie in a cinema and recieve X. Buy 10 movies of this brand and get X. Buy this and have a chance to win a free trip to X. Buy this and have a chance to meet actor X.
Oh man, I can make up lots of these things.
This already happens in other ways in many other countries, but it's flat out illegal according to American law. However, that won't stop nutty idiots from passing it...
It's disgusting though, it infringes so many of our rights in this country. Thanks for raising the awareness Keith. I hope the internet stays free...I know piracy is a 'big problem' these days (though who on the internet isn't some form of 'pirate' :P) but this is sooo not the way to go about cutting that issue.
It's disgusting though, it infringes so many of our rights in this country. Thanks for raising the awareness Keith. I hope the internet stays free...I know piracy is a 'big problem' these days (though who on the internet isn't some form of 'pirate' :P) but this is sooo not the way to go about cutting that issue.
Oh, but I thought they moved on to a new bill. It's not one that will shut down sites, which is great and all, but it's almost as bad in that it will block US users from visiting offending sites.
Ugh, this sounds like some crazy American idea.
I really hope this doesn't get through.
If it does, I'll glad I'm not living in the USA.
I'm curious to what will happen to sites that review things.
Also, don't they see that piracy has some good sides aswell? It's free advertisement if somebody posts a screenshot of your movie on some site. People will get curious and go see the movie or it's sequals.
Where I live, there's hardly any anime on the television, but they DO sell games of animes that have never ever been shown here (Bleach, Naruto). Why would they try to sell games based on animes if they thought that nobody ever downloads anything illegal and therefore would not know the anime?
I really hope this doesn't get through.
If it does, I'll glad I'm not living in the USA.
I'm curious to what will happen to sites that review things.
Also, don't they see that piracy has some good sides aswell? It's free advertisement if somebody posts a screenshot of your movie on some site. People will get curious and go see the movie or it's sequals.
Where I live, there's hardly any anime on the television, but they DO sell games of animes that have never ever been shown here (Bleach, Naruto). Why would they try to sell games based on animes if they thought that nobody ever downloads anything illegal and therefore would not know the anime?
On another note, it's stuff like this that makes me so ashamed to be an American.
Yes, our government and the music/film industry in America think they can control the world.
At some point, you just know the people in our country will revolt.... provided they haven't been bred into stupidity. A quick glance at the TV and just the intelligence levels of most of the people in this country make terrified. It's like their trying to make us as stupid as possible to work towards a totalitarian ruling system.
Yes, our government and the music/film industry in America think they can control the world.
At some point, you just know the people in our country will revolt.... provided they haven't been bred into stupidity. A quick glance at the TV and just the intelligence levels of most of the people in this country make terrified. It's like their trying to make us as stupid as possible to work towards a totalitarian ruling system.