You may have seen their slick video (below) on TV recently, or their print ad in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. CreativeAmerica.org has come out swinging in support of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) (H.R. 3261) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) (S. 968). They come late to the party however, as opposition to these bills has been building rapidly since early November. Perhaps they finally realized that legislation they hoped to get passed quickly and quietly has become widely known and opposed. Now in their best patriotic voices they are asking Americans to rally to their cause, protect American jobs, and write to Congress.
Their advertising is as slick and professional as you’d expect from some of the largest industries in the country — entertainment and pharmaceuticals. Most people would agree that counterfeit drugs and bootleg movies and music are bad, but there are already laws in place to protect copyright on the Internet. The proposed new legislation would allow these corporate giants to throttle, virtually at will, much of the competition and free speech on the Internet. Don’t be fooled. Do your homework. You can start with the links and information in “Congress is taking aim on our Internet,” which addresses the other side of the issue — free speech on a free and open Internet.
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Hmm. Glad Congress has found something work on – while the nation teeters on bankruptcy, that is. Yipes.
The holidays — great time to sneak unpopular legislation into law.