Protect IP gives the government the power to force internet providers to cut off access to infringing domains. Ostensibly this is to protect the entertainment industry but it paves the way for complete internet censorship. The bill will tamper with inner workings of the internet itself. It gives companies the power to sue blogs, forums or search engines for providing illegal links. It paves the way for complete censorship. Ordinary people could go to jail for five year for just posting a single copyrighted link. Nothing could be more against free speech. I appeal to everyone who reads this. We together have a duty to defend this incredible tool. People think the internet is safe. They think it can never be changed. DON’T BELIEVE IT. It can be controlled and it will be if we let it.
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.
We at Frost are strong advocates of internet freedom. We reported on the G8 summit in May when governments met to discuss internet regulation. Governments be they democracies or tyrannical regimes fear the internet and they want to control it. Governments have been scared by the Arab spring, they’ve been scared by occupy Wall street and now they’re moving to take control.
It was always just a matter of time before our governments tried this. At the moment almost know one is aware this is happening. The internet needs YOU. Spread the word, tweet, facebook, blog, talk, share if you’re a US citizen please follow the instructions below
It takes just 2-3 minutes to help
1) Go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
2) Select your state and zip code
3) Fill out the very basic information
4) Make sure to include PROTECT IP (S. 968)/SOPA (HR. 3261)
5) Write your opinion
Here is the actual bill http://leahy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/BillText-PROTECTIPAct.pdf
Some other good articles
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110712/12371715059/rep-anna-eshoo-silicon-valley-thinks-protect-ip-is-about-immigration.shtml
http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/protectip_docs
http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/1115_cybersecurity_friedman.aspx
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110510/13285714230/son-coica-protect-ip-act-will-allow-broad-censorship-powers-including-copyright-holders.shtml
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67985.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2011/11/11/the-case-for-the-protect-ip-act-and-dns-filtering/