Posted by Kim on November 16, 2011, 1:45pm
Did you know that the entertainment industry once sued someone for posting a video of their baby on Youtube, because you could hear a static-addled song playing on the radio in the background?Did you know that the entertainment industry sued to try and stop the first VCRs? And the first mp3 players?
Now they want the power not only to sue any site on the internet that contains copyrighted content in any amount -- They want the power to have the US government block the site from being accessed by anyone in the United States.
Under this law, it would mean that the RP repository could be shut down if a single person used an icon with a picture of a cartoon character they liked, or posted a screenshot from a game.
Bills like this are an emergency for the internet. If you are a US citizen and you value free speech, please, take a moment to contact your representatives in congress.
You can also sign an online petition, but don't stop there. Nothing is as powerful as calling. It shows this issue is more important to you than a click of the mouse.
Enter your zip code here to find your congressional representatives, and tell them you are against the so called "Protect-IP" and SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) acts.
The good news? We know that we can make a difference. Different versions of this law have already been protested and stopped many times in the past, but big corporations keep reviving it in Congress. Keep telling them no!
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Comments
Afraid not. =/
Is the danger over with? o.o
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon is going to filibuster this bill by reading the names of people on this petition: http://stopcensorship.org/
If only we could put all our characters' names on it, too!
If only we could put all our characters' names on it, too!
@Warwick - I did contact Riot games on your behalf and got explicit clarification that they consider the use of their character images and concepts for RP purposes to be included under fair use, so long as you aren't making money off it.
Good on you for double checking.
Good on you for double checking.
Hold up though... we had a talk with riot games so mine are good right?
Well crap!!!
GrandFinale, that article appears to be about an attempt to repeal a law that protected net neutrality. The date is even from before the SOPA hearing on the 16th. It is NOT about the future bills, PIPA and SOPA. Those two are very much alive and currently have high odds of becoming reality. Nothing is over, and the bills currently have more support than they do opposition.
http://www.care2.com/causes/victory-senate-democrats-save-net-neutrality.html
...We've won...it's over...
...We've won...it's over...
I couldn't believe it when I got that in my Gmail...the odds are with us! But we must fight, the bill could still pass!
NEVER GIVE UP!! NEVER SURRENDER!!!
Freaking senate passed it!!!! Ron Wyden, however, put it on hold, so we've got a bit more time. And maybe the veto will work...
Alas, Sanne, they're actually written by politicians who are so deep in the pockets of big copyright holders like the MAFIAA - er, I mean, MPAA - that they're basically puppets on a string.
Being Canadian, I can't really do much about this for you guys, but I hope it doesn't pass. And here's to our own sleazy government not getting its stupid copywrong bill through parliament, at that!
Being Canadian, I can't really do much about this for you guys, but I hope it doesn't pass. And here's to our own sleazy government not getting its stupid copywrong bill through parliament, at that!
Aaah censorship.
I thought we were against that kind of thing in the good ol' US of A.
I thought we were against that kind of thing in the good ol' US of A.
Yuka
November 16, 2011
5:09pm
I'm not in the US, but I signed anyway
Glacontour
November 16, 2011
4:51pm
I heard Obama would veto the bill if it came onto his desk, and this came from his blog, so I feel that may be pretty legit, however the system of checks and balances allows a presidential veto to be overturned...
....
I hear Obama is going to try and veto this one. That and considering just how much of a middle finger it is from our corrupted government to the Constitution, the Supreme Court could lay siege and tear this one down.
Ah, an excellent illustration of the issue! 
A demotivator to save the very future of sharing demotivators.
A demotivator to save the very future of sharing demotivators.
Ethelle, you gave me an idea...
nnnnnnnNNNNNOOOO000OOOOOOOOooooooo
Kim
November 28, 2011
4:06pm
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/