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| | ==Supporters== | | ==Supporters== |
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| − | The primary supporters of the bill are [[Hollywood]] (including its trade association, [[MPAA]], which is led by former [[Democrat]] [[U.S. Senator]] [[Chris Dodd]]) and the music industry (led by its trade group, the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Other supporters include include [[television]] companies, and [[Viacom]]. Other supporters are [[Nike]], the U.S. [[Chamber of Commerce]], the [[Fraternal Order of Police]], the [[National Association of Governors]], the [[Better Business Bureau]]. | + | The primary supporters of the bill are [[Hollywood]] (including its trade association, [[MPAA]], which is led by former [[Democrat]] [[U.S. Senator]] [[Chris Dodd]]) and the music industry (led by its trade group, the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Other supporters include include [[television]] companies, and [[Viacom]]. Less important supporters are [[Nike]], the U.S. [[Chamber of Commerce]], the [[Fraternal Order of Police]], the [[National Association of Governors]], the [[Better Business Bureau]]. |
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| | ==Critics== | | ==Critics== |
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| | The [[Obama Administration]] released a statement which read, in part, "we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet. Any effort to combat [[online piracy]] must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/14/obama-administration-responds-we-people-petitions-sopa-and-online-piracy]</ref>. The administration has also released a statement implying that it will veto the legislation should it reach the president's desk. | | The [[Obama Administration]] released a statement which read, in part, "we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet. Any effort to combat [[online piracy]] must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/14/obama-administration-responds-we-people-petitions-sopa-and-online-piracy]</ref>. The administration has also released a statement implying that it will veto the legislation should it reach the president's desk. |
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| − | On January 18, 2012, some liberal websites launched a protest of SOPA and PIPA. English Wikipedia shut down for 24 hours, and Google ran a black banner. English Wikipedia shut down after a quick discussion generated comments from 1,800 users. 763 of those users supported the shutdown, while the rest favored other actions or no actions. Many of those voting for a shut down were newly-created accounts, so the vote did not reflect the wishes of the 100,000 Wikipedia editors. Other Wikipedia projects, such as Simple English Wikipedia, voted to not protest. During and after the protest, the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) urged users to contact their Congressional representatives. WMF claimed that SOPA "threatened the existence of Wikipedia" while internal critics there disputed that claim. | + | On January 18, 2012, some liberal websites launched a "protest" of SOPA and PIPA. English Wikipedia shut down for 24 hours, and Google ran a black banner. English Wikipedia shut down after a quick discussion generated comments from 1,800 users. 763 of those users supported the shutdown, while the rest favored other actions or no actions. Many of those voting for a shut down were newly-created accounts, so the vote did not reflect the wishes of the 100,000 Wikipedia editors. Other Wikipedia projects, such as Simple English Wikipedia, voted to not protest. During and after the protest, the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) urged users to contact their Congressional representatives. WMF claimed that SOPA "threatened the existence of Wikipedia" while internal critics there disputed that claim. |
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| − | The day after the online protest, the [[United States Department of Justice]] shut down [[Megaupload]], a website allegedly associated with software piracy. Media attention quickly shifted from the protest to the Megaupload crack-down. | + | The day after the online "protest," the [[United States Department of Justice]] shut down [[Megaupload]], a website allegedly associated with software piracy. Media attention quickly shifted from the "protest" to the Megaupload crack-down. |
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| | ==External links== | | ==External links== |