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 Onyx
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Thank you for bringing awareness to this. I have signed the petition and will be contacting my reps as soon as possible to voice my displeasure with this idiotic idea.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Blu
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Sigh, I hope this bill doesn't pass. :/ the bill sounds ridiculous. What were people thinking?

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by KeTTu
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Ahh, the US Government. You're free to say whatever you want, as long as a handful of old dudes agree with it. It's as free as a 12 year old living in their parent's house.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Jacket_683
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Maybe it's because I'm English, but... how the fuck does the American government think it can actually, legally do this? They don't own the internet. It was called the "world wide web" for a reason. :/ I'm actually flabbergasted.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Shaeji
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I do believe the internet is the world wide web. One country can not control the internet, they have no right too. No matter how big and powerful they may be.

I have joined many petitions, but now all I can do is sit and wait.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Thalath
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Really glad you posted this!! :D

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Sydney
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Thanks!!!! Oops!!! there goes youtube, Facebook, and the list goes on. It will never happen people will protest in the streets.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by johanhdrent
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It is always funny or better sad to see that the USA uses internet to create conflicts in other countries for so called democracy, but at the same time believe that they own the internet and can make worldwide rules.

And above that that they think that US law means worldwide law. Our laws are not counting in the USA and US laws are not counting in my country.

It is perhaps time for the major firms that they leave the US and start there business in another country.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by nietzsche
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Thank you SO MUCH for bringing awareness to this, guys. The more that know, the better.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Yoshi
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I've already signed a petition concerning this about a month ago. Hopefully this bill doesn't pass through.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Marluxia
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What happened to freedom of speech and what not...? :T

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Contemptress
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Wow. Thanks for the info. I had no idea this existed until now. runs to read article

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Katlamos
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Many sites that don't usually get into the whole political deal are jumping on this. It's basically a bill that allows the government and Hollywood (as well as other big name companies) to more or less stifle creativity, as well as basically control what we can and can't do with media in any form it takes.

It's just another form of the government trying to control us. God help everyone if this passes. That'll be the day the internet basically dies. Cause I'd wager even if people moved shop to other countries, they'd just use the same method places like China have used, which is to block all incoming traffic from the US to the site. It's scary as hell to think what might happen if this (or anything like it) were to ever pass.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Taters
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Hopefully they wont do something that drastic, most websites host screenshots and such from tv and other such things which these SOPA things would want to remove.

I understand stopping the piracy of music/art/etc, but images...that is crazy. A ton of people make gifs and screen shots and such. If they shut down every site with a tiny bit of copywright material then the net would be dead. Hopefully they think of that :

I have much more to say about this thing xD But I dont want to rant and annoy anyone. I just think its annoying. And hopefully, it wont pass. You never know, tons of ideas and such are brought up on how to stop copywright, hopefully this will change and be more reasonable if they do use it.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by HERO
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omfg. TUMBLR.

This is messed up. :T /reads the bill

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Quest
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And there goes the "Amendment " I was thinking was gonna get block 1st.....

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by SubetaAngel
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Glad Subeta is fighting to save our freedom on internet, so is firefox. Thank you for posting this.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by glory_720
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i was wondering if subeta would post something about SOPA eventually! i'm so glad that you have. people really need to know about this and get involved.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Med_Kitty
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I am very glad that you posted about this. SOPA and a sister bill called PICA (I believe) are dangerous to our freedom. Call your congress man and tell them to deny it, please!!!

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by PUNK
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I live in England - is there anything we can do here? Seems a crazy bill to me :o

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Lazuli
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Leave it to the US to try to dictate the internet.

And I'm American so I can say that.

And I'll add that as an American living in Europe, this makes us look like mega-asshats to much of the world. Not that we don't already, but still, this SOPA bill is taking it to a whole new level.

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Aydan
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So Youtube would be shut down too

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Suzaku
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How has this not been considered unconstitutional?

December 31, 1969, 7:00 pm by Sorcerer
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Good to see you spreading awareness.

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