Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Web Goes on Strike




January 18th, 2012 is the largest online protest in history, to stop the internet censorship bills, SOPA & PIPA. Join in by blacking out your site and urging everyone you can reach to contact Congress now.

I'm not actually American but on January 18th, I will not be blogging or publishing comments on my blog or commenting on other blogs.  I do not support internet censorship or more government control over the internet and America's actions will have ramifications for other countries.
 
I will resume blogging on Wednesday, January 19, 2012. Thank you for your patience. In the meantime, I offer this short article from the Canadian Press.

~~~

Canadians to join Wikipedia protest of anti-piracy act

Online encyclopedia to black out site for 24 hours at midnight

Posted: Jan 17, 2012 6:52 AM ET

Last Updated: Jan 17, 2012 4:46 PM ET

Some Canadian websites are pledging to join Wikipedia and other prominent sites in a protest blackout on Wednesday.

The self-imposed blackout is a protest against proposed anti-piracy legislation in the United States that could have far-reaching effects for Internet users and companies around the world.

The Stop Online Piracy Act and the PROTECT IP Act could allow website addresses to be blocked when complaints are filed about copyright infringement.
The Wikimedia Foundation says the proposed U.S. law would harm the open internet and make more censorship possible.
The Wikimedia Foundation says the proposed U.S. law would harm the open internet and make more censorship possible. (Wikipedia.org)
 

Search engines and websites could be compelled to remove links to sites accused of copyright violations, and web payment processors and advertisers could be forced to stop doing business with alleged offenders.

Tucows (TSX:TC), a Toronto-based company that manages over 11 million domain names and provides other Internet services, is planning to temporarily take down its popular downloading site, which hosts more than 40,000 programs. The legislation could theoretically affect Tucows if someone claimed it was allowing downloads of software illegally.

"There will be hundreds of thousands — maybe a million — people impacted by not being able to download the software they want but we feel it's important," said Ken Schafer, executive vice-president of products for Tucows.

"It's not just about inconveniencing them, it's about getting to those people and making them aware of this issue and getting them to take action."
Law professor Michael Geist, who is Canada's Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, and social media service is also among the Canadians taking part in the protest.

Other popular sites that are participating include Boing Boing, Reddit and the blogging platform Wordpress, which is encouraging its users to join the cause.

Only the English portion of Wikipedia is going offline Wednesday, reads a message to users signed by Canadian Sue Gardner, executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation.

"My hope is that when Wikipedia shuts down on Jan. 18, people will understand that we're doing it for our readers. We support everyone's right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression," she wrote.

"We believe in a free and open internet where information can be shared without impediment. We believe that new proposed laws like SOPA and PIPA, and other similar laws under discussion inside and outside the United States, don't advance the interests of the general public."

5 comments:

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Well I pray they censor what I have posted...LOL
But I respect your stand and good on you!!xx

Joyful said...

CM, I think you believe in free speech. That is what allows you to post as you do. I do believe in free speech also. God bless. xx

Fred Alton said...

Let freedom ring! I'm all for free speech - but there are some copyright issues that may need to be dealt with. I thought they had already enough laws on the books to do the monitoring of copyright law-ignorers ... but maybe I was wrong.

Joyful said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joyful said...

I couldn't agree more Fred. It would be great if your politicians decided to go back to the drawing board and spend a little more time ensuring that the proposed legislation does not have unintended consequences, and is not cast overly broadly. That would be a good outcome!

A Few Days in March ~ Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers. I hope Spring is treating you well so far. It's been roller coaster weather where I live with mostly ...