The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) are two proposed draft laws that were being considered by the United States Congress. Their stated goals are to increase the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods, and give the U.S. government and copyright holders additional tools to curb access to "rogue websites dedicated to infringing or counterfeit goods", especially those registered outside the United States. [1]
Supporters of the laws argued that they are needed to protect the intellectual property of owners of content. Opponents of the laws argued that they endanger free speech and free expression by harmfully regulating the internet.
SOPA is the bill under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. PIPA is the related bill under consideration by the U.S. Senate.
The Stop Online Piracy Act was introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX). [2]
SOPA was initially co-sponsored by 12 Representatives:
After its initial introduction, other Representatives became co-sponsors of SOPA:
The Protect IP Act (PIPA) was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid planned to bring it to a vote on January 24. Reid rejected a request by six Senators for a postponement, saying "this is an issue that is too important to delay". [9]
As of January 17, 2012, PIPA was co-sponsored by: [10]
In December 2011, Representative Ron Paul spoke out against SOPA, deriding it as a bill that would "take over the Internet". [12] Paul thus became the first major presidential candidate to publicly oppose the SOPA. [13]
Sen. Ron Wyden was one of the opposition leaders against PIPA. On November 28, 2011, Wyden issued a filibuster threat with Sen. Jerry Moran if SOPA/PIPA made it to the floor. [37] A January 20, 2012, editorial in the Daily Kos described Wyden as "The biggest SOPA/PIPA hero". [38] After Senator Wyden, Senator Moran was one of the first Senators to recognize the problems with PIPA and to take a stand against the bill [39] Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown (R) also publicly voiced his opposition to the legislation as well as its sister bill in the House, SOPA. [40]
Opposition
In May 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to report in favor of PIPA. [54]
Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557
However, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) placed a " Senate hold" on the bill, postponing it from going to a full floor vote. [55]
On January 13, six Republican co-sponsors of the bill released a letter of concern, reading in part:
"We have increasingly heard from a large number of constituents and other stakeholders with vocal concerns about possible unintended consequences of the proposed legislation, including breaches in cybersecurity, damaging the integrity of the Internet, costly and burdensome litigation, and dilution of First Amendment rights." [56]
On January 17, Senator Ron Wyden announced his intention to filibuster PIPA if necessary. [36] [57] [58]
January 18 saw the Internet Blackout protests in which websites coordinated to oppose SOPA/PIPA. In the wake of online protests, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the PIPA vote previously scheduled for January 24 would be postponed. [59] [60]
Representative Lamar S. Smith introduced SOPA. Smith remarked of the bill:
"The Stop Online Piracy Act helps American innovators by protecting U.S. intellectual property from foreign criminals." [61]
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) are two proposed draft laws that were being considered by the United States Congress. Their stated goals are to increase the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods, and give the U.S. government and copyright holders additional tools to curb access to "rogue websites dedicated to infringing or counterfeit goods", especially those registered outside the United States. [1]
Supporters of the laws argued that they are needed to protect the intellectual property of owners of content. Opponents of the laws argued that they endanger free speech and free expression by harmfully regulating the internet.
SOPA is the bill under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. PIPA is the related bill under consideration by the U.S. Senate.
The Stop Online Piracy Act was introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX). [2]
SOPA was initially co-sponsored by 12 Representatives:
After its initial introduction, other Representatives became co-sponsors of SOPA:
The Protect IP Act (PIPA) was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid planned to bring it to a vote on January 24. Reid rejected a request by six Senators for a postponement, saying "this is an issue that is too important to delay". [9]
As of January 17, 2012, PIPA was co-sponsored by: [10]
In December 2011, Representative Ron Paul spoke out against SOPA, deriding it as a bill that would "take over the Internet". [12] Paul thus became the first major presidential candidate to publicly oppose the SOPA. [13]
Sen. Ron Wyden was one of the opposition leaders against PIPA. On November 28, 2011, Wyden issued a filibuster threat with Sen. Jerry Moran if SOPA/PIPA made it to the floor. [37] A January 20, 2012, editorial in the Daily Kos described Wyden as "The biggest SOPA/PIPA hero". [38] After Senator Wyden, Senator Moran was one of the first Senators to recognize the problems with PIPA and to take a stand against the bill [39] Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown (R) also publicly voiced his opposition to the legislation as well as its sister bill in the House, SOPA. [40]
Opposition
In May 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to report in favor of PIPA. [54]
Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557
However, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) placed a " Senate hold" on the bill, postponing it from going to a full floor vote. [55]
On January 13, six Republican co-sponsors of the bill released a letter of concern, reading in part:
"We have increasingly heard from a large number of constituents and other stakeholders with vocal concerns about possible unintended consequences of the proposed legislation, including breaches in cybersecurity, damaging the integrity of the Internet, costly and burdensome litigation, and dilution of First Amendment rights." [56]
On January 17, Senator Ron Wyden announced his intention to filibuster PIPA if necessary. [36] [57] [58]
January 18 saw the Internet Blackout protests in which websites coordinated to oppose SOPA/PIPA. In the wake of online protests, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the PIPA vote previously scheduled for January 24 would be postponed. [59] [60]
Representative Lamar S. Smith introduced SOPA. Smith remarked of the bill:
"The Stop Online Piracy Act helps American innovators by protecting U.S. intellectual property from foreign criminals." [61]