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Good Work, Internet: SOPA, PIPA Postponed (Dead) For Now
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 20, 2012
Modified Jan 20, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 20, 2012
Modified Jan 20, 2012
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Congress has decided to postpone the vote on the Internet anti-piracy bills, Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act, after widespread outrage from Internet companies and most anyone who uses the Internet. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) Tweeted, "In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday's vote on the PROTECT IP Act #PIPA."
He continued, "There's no reason that legitimate issues raised about PROTECT IP can't be resolved. Counterfeiting & piracy cost 1000s of #jobs yearly #pipa," and "Americans rightfully expect to be fairly compensated 4 their work. I'm optimistic that we can reach compromise on PROTECT IP in coming weeks."
SOPA's lead sponsor, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), also "called off plans to formally draft his version of the anti-piracy bill next month." saying, "The Committee remains committed to finding a solution to the problem of online piracy that protects American intellectual property and innovation. The House Judiciary Committee will postpone consideration of the legislation until there is wider agreement on a solution."
However, PIPA's sponsor was not happy: Politico reports that Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) said that Internet thieves in China and Russia "are smugly watching how the United States Senate decided it was not even worth debating how to stop the overseas criminals from draining our economy."
Tagged
censorship
harry reid
internet
lamar smith
online anti-piracy
PIPA
SOPA
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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