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[2ndcareer]

the Stop Online Piracy Act, is making its way through Congress, and generating some heat among techies and Media Corporations.

Already some hacker groups are anticipating the passage of SOPA, and are making anti-SOPA softwares to circumvent SOPA related judicial actions.

Your thoughts?

[2ndcareer]

1 question that came to my mind about SOPA is,

whether SOPA is applicable to ISP's that allows download of "jailbreak" softwares, which could reset "locks" in mobile devices like iPhone, Blackberry, etc., to allow those devices to download "unauthorized" software or even pirated SW and media files.

now, SOPA clause (4)(A)(ii) is the big "anti-circumvention" clause that might be applicable to this.

Would some copyright experts/enthusiasts care to comment?  Any other thoughts about SOPA?

[JSonnabend]

I know this thread is old due to the forum issues, but the FUD around SOPA is so great I thought I'd answer.  Section 102(c)(4)(A)(ii) does not address "jailbreak" software or custom ROMs.  It addresses parties that provide means for getting around DNS blocks that the bill allows for pirate sites.

- Jeff

[LionelPeach]

I think SOPA is a Trogan horse, and it's real goal is to build an infrastructure by which a govt. bureaucrat can shut down a web site for whatever reason he sees fit. Web sites that have dissenting opinions on that govt. could and would be targets. It's a 1st amendment issue.  I don't condone piracy, but copyright ownership could be enforced with a technological solution (like iLok) rather than through weasels in govt. who will seek every opportunity to abuse it in the future.

[JSonnabend]

I think SOPA is a Trogan horse, and it's real goal is to build an infrastructure by which a govt. bureaucrat can shut down a web site for whatever reason he sees fit. Web sites that have dissenting opinions on that govt. could and would be targets. It's a 1st amendment issue.  I don't condone piracy, but copyright ownership could be enforced with a technological solution (like iLok) rather than through weasels in govt. who will seek every opportunity to abuse it in the future.

That's all true, but only if you believe our entire judicial system is a farce.

- Jeff

[MYK]

I think SOPA is a Trogan horse, and it's real goal is to build an infrastructure by which a govt. bureaucrat can shut down a web site for whatever reason he sees fit. Web sites that have dissenting opinions on that govt. could and would be targets. It's a 1st amendment issue.  I don't condone piracy, but copyright ownership could be enforced with a technological solution (like iLok) rather than through weasels in govt. who will seek every opportunity to abuse it in the future.

That's all true, but only if you believe our entire judicial system is a farce.

- Jeff

Slaughterhouse cases, anyone?

[JSonnabend]

Is that a reference to The Jungle?  I'm not familiar with the cases, though, I must admit.

Mistakes are made, but by and large the judicial system works, warts and all.  If not, we have far bigger problems than SOPA.

[artchain]

To some extent I agree with LionelPeach... if you put in place mechanisms allowing government agencies to control the Internet (for any reason), it's a small step to "repurpose" those mechanisms.

I believe the FBI actions against MegaUpload demonstrate that our existing system provides the tools needed to go after large scale piracy, and I don't support giving the government any additional control.