Thursday, November 18, 2010

each step closer, is 2 steps back

the Combating Online Infringement & Counterfeits Act.
Moving the bill one step closer to being approved, and the government closer to being the authority on the censorship of internet piracy.
The measure aims to block websites associated with the distribution of copyright material,
but is vague enough to be abused, in turn giving the gov the opportunity to censor whatever they deem appropriate at any given time.

Despite the fact that the bill hasn't even hit the senate floor,
Operation in Our Sites has already led the charge on blocking sites related to copyright infringement.

S3804 has received a fair share of outcry from public rights groups,
but ironically has been very much censored itself.
It's not certain if the bill will make it to the lame duck senate before years end,
and there's no telling how the Republicans will view the bill,
but bet you bottom dollar funds are already pouring in from the content industry
hoping to buy the votes to tally in their favor.

Here's hoping America realizes this bill goes beyond p2p media sharing,
and draws the internet one step closer to being policed by a government whom fails to serve the people,
and instead serves as a corporate bullhorn.

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