In early 2012, the Internet, including tech companies and users, stood united and protested against the stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), both anti-piracy laws tabled by the United States government. According to these laws, access to sites with pirated content was to be restricted, including search engines and advertising companies that work with them. In protest, On January 18, websites such as Wikipedia, Reddit and Craigslist went dark. Google also put a black censorship box over its logo. Petitions and organized boycotts were also held. As a result, both SOPA and PIPA were shelved by the government.
This is all because of two pieces of legislation: the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House and its Senate companion bill, the Protect IP Act (PIPA). The purpose of these bills is to make it harder for sites — especially those located outside the United States — to sell or distribute pirated copyrighted material such as movies and music as well as physical goods such as counterfeit purses and watches. Even most of SOPA and PIPA’s strongest opponents applaud the intentions of the legislation while deploring what it might actually accomplish.
Picture Credit : Google
