SOPA and PIPA have been put on hold by both the Senate (PIPA) and the House (SOFA) today. This was another power grab by the government to control the Internet and its content (at a minimum). Conspiracy theorists aside, this was a blatant attempt to limit freedom. If the real issue of piracy had been addressed properly using existing laws, we all would have won.
David DeGerolamo
GOP chairman shelves Stop Online Piracy Act
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) announced on Friday that he will postpone consideration of his Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) until there is wider agreement on the controversial legislation.
“I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy,” Smith said. “It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products.”
Smith’s announcement came just minutes after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced he would shelve the Senate’s version of the anti-piracy legislation, the Protect IP Act. The move is a stunning acknowledgment of failure for the powerful chairman.
