What is the PIPA Bill?
Update (01/20/2012):
Both the PIPA and SOPA bills have been tabled for now by Congress. However, another bill was brought to Congress on January 18, 2012 regarding online piracy. For more information you can take a look at my article on the aftermath of SOPA and PIPA. We have won the battle, but not the war.
If you’re still looking to find out what exactly PIPA is or was, well then here you go:
PIPA is short for the “Protect IP Act“. The act is a reorganization of the 2010 COICA (Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act) that did not pass legislation.
See also: Megaupload Shutdown and SOPA: Future Implications
The current version of PIPA was introduced to the Senate on May 10, 2011. The bill will be brought up for voting in the Senate on January 24, 2012.
For full details you may want to read the full version. Let me warn you though- it is for advanced “legalese” readers only.
PIPA is a very similar bill to the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) that has been causing a buzz throughout the internet.
Both bills are advertised as helping to combat online piracy and protect internet users. The actual content contained within the two bills however, is rather frightening.
The full version can be daunting to read (probably done on purpose by lawmakers) but there is a shortened version written by Mashable.com that serves as a good translation.
What Happens if PIPA is Passed?
- PIPA contains provisions that will allow the federal government to have an unconstitutional amount of power in regards to censoring Americans’ access to the internet.
- All websites on the internet will be liable for content added by users – comments, status updates, etc.
- Social media networks like Facebook could face prosecution over content uploaded by users.
- The Federal Government could forcibly require that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block websites deemed as “enablers” of copyright infringement.
The primary supporters of PIPA and SOPA are members of the music and film industries. Many online media sources are opposed to the act including Google, Wikipedia, Reddit, WordPress, Mozilla and Twitpic. Wikipedia will actually be performing a blackout in protest of the PIPA bill on January 18, 2011.
A more complete list of online companies and entities protesting the PIPA bill can be found on SOPAStrke.com.
Those in protest of the two bills believe that there are other ways to combat copyright infringement, including holding content producers responsible for protecting their own content, without jeopardizing the digital rights of the United States online community.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the PIPA and SOPA bills in the comments section below – before the government forces me to censor your opinions!
The most helpful thing you can do to block the passing of the SOPA and PIPA bills is to contact congress and express your discontent.
About Anson Alexander
Anson Alexander is a graduate from the University of Tampa with a degree in International Business and Information Systems.A previous IT Administrator for a medium size publication company, Anson has recently decided to work full time on his own business by publishing on AnsonAlex.com, publishing technology tutorials on YouTube and offering SEO, IT training and digital marketing services.His main interests include technology, social media, infographics, economics, marketing and web design.Connect with Anson on Google+.
[...] #4 18/01/12 14:06 Domenico administrator 1.015.641 Berichten 82 Berichten zijn liked Naam: Domenico Consoli Bedrijf: Webhostingtalk.nl Functie: Founder/CEO URL: webhostingtalk.nl Registrar SIDN: Ja KvK nummer: 51327317 Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Stewie Stop sopa en pipa? Wat doen we met Pippa? http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa http://ansonalex.com/technology/what-is-pipa/ [...]
[...] you don’t know by now, get the hell out from under that rock. SOPA and PIPA are a threat to the internet and therefore our way of life. In protest of these acts, many websites [...]
This whole thing is stupid. Why dont they just erase the idea of the Internet. It's ridiculous. Why can't we all just be friends and get along.
Checkout the site I just launched to help combat PIPA.
PIPArollcall.com
Pretty cool site Justin. For everyone else, the site provides links to @mention your senators in opposition of PIPA and SOPA.
Thanks for the link!
-Anson
[...] 18, 2012 From 8am to 8pm on 1/18/12, the plan was for this site to go dark in protest to SOPA and PIPA and dark it [...]
[...] Kaynak Not:Hatalarım vardır elbet, düşük İngilizce’mle çevirmeye çalıştım. Kusuruma bakmayın hatalar için. [...]
Well, considering the PIPA is only honestly intended to get persons to begin to pay for products rather than pirate it, I guess this is not too bad of a law. However, there are too many blank sections. Where would the line be drawn and where would people know there was an illegal action beginning to take place? Basically, I don't agree with PIPA.
This is supposed to be a free country. Third world countries are going to have this freedom and we're having it taken away? Something doesn't seem right.
SOPA AND PIPA SUCK!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS AMERICA AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO POST WHAT EVER WE WANT. BESIDES SOPA AND PIPA WILL BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE 1ST AMENDMENT.
I can see where they're coming from and that they mean well, but the pros and cons most certainly do not balance out. Not to mention the people who are trying to pass the laws are from an older generation, and don't seen to understand the impact the internet has on the new generation's lives. If PIPA passes, not only will it's abilities bring violation to the 1st Amendment, but it will also cause much more of an uproar than a few pissed off teenagers.
man when i found out about this i was so mad, i felt like i was being censored already! man this is not right it must be stopped before its to late!!!
i think the information is pretty good
[...] if websites are blocked or monitored it will stop the traffic to their websites, links and ads. http://ansonalex.com/technology/what-is-pipa/ . Web pages like Wikepedia in protest shut down its website and in place put a black page up. [...]
I think this post is not internet category related. Am i right mr anson? PIPA Bill is not a internet category post.. Thanks.