SOPA



Hi everyone! We usually refrain from posting anything political or US-based on the site, but this is an important one. Right now in the US we are debating a bill called SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). This bill would give the government sweeping power to shut down websites that appear to be breaking any copyright.

An example of this would be if a user on Subeta posted a copyright picture, video, or song in the forums, the entire site of Subeta could be shut down until that issue is resolved. Right now, we are simply contacted by the owner and asked to remove the offending post, item, in a way that doesn't impact the rest of the users on Subeta.

Some of my favorite websites (TUMBLR!!!) have already said it would be impossible for them to run under the rules that SOPA sets up, and would most likely have to be shut down or entirely change their services.

Here is an excellent article from Lifehacker that tells you exactly what SOPA is, and what it will do to the sites that you visit daily. here is a site with petitions and other information that will help you contact the appropriate people, should you feel so inclined.

Anyway, thanks for reading! Like I said, I wouldn't post this here if it didn't directly have an impact on the way that we run Subeta, and on the way that the other sites that you visit would also have to change. As always, I suggest you read the bill yourself so you can make an educated choice on how you feel about what it does.
December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Jasper
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Wow, you guys are rather LATE getting into the game. I expected you guys to post a notice about a week ago and this has been happening for over a month now.

BTW, they tried holding a secret hearing two days ago but thanks to those at demandprogress.org, they didn't succeed. However, SOPA is only being held off until January, after the winter holidays are over.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Fyreheart
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So what do we do? Start a petition? This is crazy since pretty much the ENTIRE internet has copyrighted material on it. Even fan-art is at risk.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by lashlyn
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So... if this law passes, EVERY site online will be shut down :/ No thanks, Congress.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by waterfall
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I dislike being directly affected by legislation from another jurisdiction with no input from my own whatsoever. Thank you for posting this!

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Tokkida
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OH CONGRESS, YOU SILLY. Like, EVERY website ever has some form of copyrighted content on it.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by SEVEN_446
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Wow. US you just amaze me. Somedays I see a light at the end of the Steven Harper tunnel.

Basically they're going to destroy the main reasons why people go online. Facebook, Tumblr, and Youtube are the three main places you can find everyone. Places like deviantArt where you post your own art, and Zerochan where people repost fanart, would be totally murdered and shut down. They'll cause mass protests and basically the population who go online to these places will be MURDERED.

Some days the US just isn't the smartest place at all.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Rilriia
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Keith, thanks SO much for posting this!!! I've been working tirelessly on this for what seems like forever to get the word out and I really appreciate it! To answer the question of constitutionality, SOPA would amend and bypass the First Amendment's guarantee that American's will have free speech. Already, the current definition of free speech is limited to what you can and cannot do and was set down in 1919 by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who wrote,

"The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic" (Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 39 S. Ct. 247, 63 L. Ed. 470 [1919]).

In other words, you are not at liberty to use speech to cause harm or discord on a large public scale.

While this bypasses the First Amendment, it was thought that public safety was more important than civil liberties. Since then, and particularly in the last 30 years, there has been a whittling down of 'free speech and press'. You are not allowed to say anything to another that could be considered a threat, you are not allowed to post/host/link to copyrighted material (a young man was jailed earlier this year by Customs for linking to copyrighted sports material on his website). And the scary thing is that the Fifth Amendment (the right to a trial by jury of peers) is also being bypassed.

I'd also like to note two other things. First, DemandProgress.org is fighting this fight and a great resource, though double check the facts--always check the facts, no matter who gives them to you.

Secondly, Clio, it's easy to bash American policies (especially if you're American and here to suffer the effects), but you might be surprised. Bloomberg, a trusted financial magazine in the US lists the 12 Worst Countries For 'Net Censorship in this order: Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. You can find articles on this through Google also and Wikipedia.

Get out and register then vote folks. The RIAA has the power to purchase votes. Obviously, look at YouTube with it's "You Can't View This Video In Your Country Because It's Blocked" pages. I've seen it for everything from Linkin Park to Looney Tunes searches. But the neat thing about the US is that we're a democratic society, our votes CAN make a difference. That means YOUR votes WILL make a difference. Also, calling your local representatives and telling them to boycott this really bad idea is always helpful.

Thank you! gets off soapbox

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Ladynite
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Freaking republicans.

Ed Shultz for president! ..... ...... ........... Or Obama!

The rest of these jokers would be like engulfing America in a bowel of jello then microwaving it.

This bill better not be passed, period.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Jindra
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It says in the bill that the first amendment trumps the bill, it can not be used to silence the press on be used against freedom of speech...not that I am for the bill I just wanted that point to be clear since it seems to be a point of confusion

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Link_274
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Thank-you for allowing us to be aware of this bill. I have signed the petition, as I feel it is very important. Something like this would ruin a lot of things on the internet for me. Including Subeta. I think a lot of others should be signing as well... Absolutely ridiculous that a bill like this would be passed.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Sylverwyng
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Normally I would also be against political posts by you . But in this case, I am all for it. I have been an opponent of SOPA since its inception. Such a horrible, horrible act, that would shut down a lot more than just the few things we think about off-hand.

Facebook would be subject. Just about every online game in the history of online gaming would be subject. Youtube would be subject. This is bad. BAD.

Love, Keith, for spreading this amongst the younger folk.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Confection
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Also, and I don't mean to be the Debbie Downer on this, because I absolutely advocate taking a stance, using your voice, and trying to be heard about this....but I don't really think online petitions work. As a member of an area going through a bit of political upheaval right now, I can tell you that the actual SIGNED petitions that are gathered (which I will tell you carry much more weight than a zillion e-signatures that can be made up at will) have to be counted, and the names cross checked against those who can even vote/would have voted in the first place (old enough, from the affected country/area, etc). Thus in the end a lot of those good-hearted people aren't heard, and the petition was carrying a lot of dead weight on it.

Like I said, I don't want to stop ANYONE from getting out there and trying to be heard about this bill. I talk to everyone I know to educate them and get them to have a voice. But signing a petition and saying "done for the day", or signing a petition when you full well know if they actually checked the list you couldn't be counted due to your region, or signing it more than once, just bogs the whole thing down and makes it look like a joke to those who would inevitably go through it. Do what you need to do, but I encourage everyone to find more ways to raise their voice beyond a piece of paper/HTML script they put their name on.

Even just actually talking to your friends face to face can make all that difference. You never know. C:

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by NovaAva
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There hasn't been a vote on the bill yet. Last week there were hearings about it, but they're postponing the vote until Congress resumes after winter break.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Ravage
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This bill is so upsetting. I feel it infringes upon our freedom and gives too much power to the goverment to censor. Why do I feel we are becoming like China.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by techn0witch
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And it affects non-US citizens, too, because the US can get your butt dragged here so they can bring you to trial. :|

You know what's funny? The companies who support the bill are companies that distributed the file sharing/pirating software to begin with. ;) Good job.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Confection
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This bill wasn't even originally made FOR piracy - they want to stop WikiLeaks and this was the bright idea of how to do it. -_- Then they decided 'OH IF WE ROLL TORRENTS AND COPYRIGHT IN THAT WILL GET IT PASSED QUICKER'. Thus a broad, overarching bill that shouldn't have the spectrum of capability it does.

I had a friend who was worried about the government getting paid off by companies to take down other competitor's websites; Coke saying Pepsi "defamed" them or something like that in order to take Pepsi down and go into more consumer power. And while that's a possibility, that's not even at the forefront. Given that the bill is made for taking down WikiLeaks, the scope of that hand could spread to personal political statements that might be deemed "defamation of character". A whole site could go down for one political remark they may not even be aware their users/contributors made. THAT's the big worry underneath the first wave (copyright) that I'm seeing. x_x;

I inform all the people I know about it in conversation. I figure speaking to them about the issue might help them find a voice as well.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Lindsie
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There's a whole forum dedicated to this ongoing ordeal on reddit, with up-to-date information and discussion. It's really great for getting information on what's currently happening.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Raccoon
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I'M MOVING TO SPACE!

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by MerlinPendragon
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I can see so many places down for this

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Flight
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This bill is too broad and too blind when making judgments - so it really needs to be stopped.

But it's not trying to take away anyone's 'freedom of speech'. We /don't/ have the god given right to steal other peoples intellectual property. It's trying to stop piracy but it's doing a really bad job of it.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by MajorVariola_152
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BTW,lots of people are saying it's unconstitutional-which it IS,but so is the U.S. income tax but if you owe it and don't pay the gov will still come after you like a rabid pitbull...if you don't believe me about the income tax do some research,you'll see....

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by DoomQueen
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I don't see this coming close to passing. Goodness knows what hell 4chan would bring upon anyone who tried to tread upon their domain.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Rarity
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How is a world without Facebook a bad thing?

(I AM KIDDING. Don't get your manes in a tangle.)

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Wolfism
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Amaerica uses its freedom to take away its freedom. sigh

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by MajorVariola_152
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Thank you for the heads-up! New definition for Hypocrisy-U.S. politicians come up with this maelstrom of feces after condemning the restrictive Internet policies of countries like China.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Aymeric
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I'm pretty sure it didn't pass, guys. They were going over the votes about a week ago, and tumblr is still up. Anyways, like many users have said, it's unconstitutional; it goes against the first amendment. It's going against freedom of speech, freedom of the press... The whole shabang. Obama himself said that he would veto the bill; but even then, congress needs 2/3rd votes to pass it. But I highly doubt it will pass. It's a load of bullcrap and if it's passed, words cannot describe how many riots will break out.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by MrsLuciel
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Hell i understand 1/4 of thing, i got a bit of lucky of dont still on US is not a offense i mean XDD looks too weird the thing and too much complicated ._. anyway i dont know thats remember me to other thing, but is not the same >.< but...gosh! what a complicated >.>

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Sabra09
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This has to be unconstitutional. We're going over the Constitution in school, and this has to be going against the Constitution. Probably the first amendment.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Wolf_Spirit
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I just signed the petition myself :P I don't care if I'm a Canadian anymore XD I want my voice heard just as much as anyone else does :P I have family in America. I'm still trying to get my Mom to reinstate her American citizenship so that I can become dual. I feel connected to the States just as much as any official American citizen does :P

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by SilveryBeing
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I've been hearing so much about SOPA. I signed a petition and contacted my local rep who is on the committee for the bill. So I really hope that it doesn't pass, there are a LOT of people, including placed like Google and Wikipedia, that don't want this passed.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Vonnie
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First they will take this away from you and then your freedom of speech...

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Les
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You know if the bill does (Which it won't) get passed, the gov will have billions of people in protest. Which won't be good at all.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Wolf_Spirit
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I signed up on that site you posted :P I needed a zip code so I used 12345 (I'm a Canadian Citizen)...and it worked! LOL! XD

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Kittenz
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I know Some online games like WoW would be messed with too with all their soooooo obvious camio apperances. Why does the goverment think they gotta control everything?

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Sasha
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Theres a lot like this happening atm I guess. Signed. I just don't argue about things like that if it could or not become real. So I just help. And I'm from Germany btw.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Glint
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Thank you for posting this! We can't be complacent and let them pass this outrageously unenforceable bill.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Wolf_Spirit
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The link you posted where you mentioned some of your favorite sites (Tumblr) didn't work...

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Miette
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Thank you so much, Keith, for calling awareness to this.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by NovaAva
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Thank you so much for bringing attention to this, Keith. I'd also like to point out stopcensorship.org, where Senator Ron Wyden is collecting names to read aloud for a filibuster if this thing goes to vote.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Naughty_Pookie
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The solution.... have Sagittarius buy a two-thirds majority of congress and the senate :D Seriously this is censorship and unconstitutional, if it does pass the ALCU should have a field day. Piracy issues yes, but what if ALL sites effected by the passing of this bill were to file a class action suit for restitution of lost revenues ??? This is the scenario we need to impress upon the legislature. Also--anyone who uploads public domain stuff to youtube only to have some low end media group scream copyright infringement falsely should fight it. These sleazeballs do not deserve free advertising.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Wolf_Spirit
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This is completely fucked up! Since I'm not an American citizen, there's nothing I could do to try and speak against this shit! GUYS - IF YOU'RE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND AGAINST THIS, SPEAK UP ABOUT THIS!!!! Write in and try to oppse this bill!!!! Otherwise, the internet as we know it will be destroyed XS

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Ape
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do any of you know how long this has been trying to be passed? it's just now being known publicly, they're not going to do it.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Sun_938
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I heard about this, thanks for spreading awareness!

I really still don't see how this could be passed.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by CastlesInTheSky
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© Hi

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by LizardLady
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Oh nevermind.. I feel like a dumbass. You were talking about Ron Paul- Obama did something similar. xD I definitely support Ron Paul 100% but I doubt he'll get elected.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by LizardLady
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Quote
So he stormed off the set of one interview, big fucking deal. Atleast he hasn&;t lied about millions of things. I find lying about my support or dissupport on certain stances more &quot;unpresident like&quot; than leaving an interview after being hounded multiple times after giving the same answer.

Wrong.. he lied and said he would veto the National Defense Authorization Act. Maybe it's not a "big deal" because it's only one thing.. but it really IS a big deal. He's obviously continuing Bush's BS. I no longer support him and I'm pretty sure he screwed his chances on getting reelected. Hopefully we'll have a more competent and honest President come next election, but I doubt it.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Cinnamon_774
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I've heard about this. I've blown it UP. I'll be nagging all of my friends to protest along with me.. verry soon. :)

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Zekumi
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You get people from all walks of the internet who show up at discussions (many of the websites I frequent have made announcements just like this to raise awareness) and go "You guys are so stupid for thinking this will have an impact! They won't be able to do any of those things.". Come on. Really? Top tech officials from sites like Google and Yahoo are stepping forward to voice their opposition. You think they were just out for an evening stroll and thought they'd make a casual remark? Why would they get involved if this wasn't a completely real, legitimate concern? Why would Subeta? Either the people saying things like that don't understand the bill themselves (which is likely, because it's intentionally ambiguous) or they're very, very naive.

And slightly-off topic, but I have heaps of admiration at how Keith handles things like this. It's very well managed, and I don't know if I've ever seen a website run with such general levelheadedness and attention to the user base. It's funny, because sometimes I look at website like Neopets, and it's literally like Subeta took a list of ALL theirs flaws (their many, many flaws) and went "Yeah, let's not do that.".

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Empress
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Todays world is all about spinning copyright like it or not. Everything is at one point in time someone elses idea. It can't be helped. That's like Lion King that Disney made ripping off a famous Japan story. Yet they benefit millions even billions of dollars selling off merchandise and w/e else Disney feels they want to toss out. The internet is a breeding ground for ideas and advertisement. If I want to do Disney fanart now, I can lose my website because even tho I posted it's a Disney character but the art is from me, it's considered breaking copyright laws. Internet would crash if this passes. ( I would be shocked if it doesn't looking at how the politicians have managed to screw up everything else. ) They don't care if it passes or not. Half of them deadbeats are sitting on death row just biding their time till they pass on. Most of which don't know a lick about internet let alone how to turn a computer on. It shows just by how they would even suggest this bill. Elections don't really matter to them, they don't see the need to fear the younger generations. They are already as I said before on the verge of crossing over the hill, with enough money to live out the last of their life comfortably.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Karissa
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Wow this is crazy

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