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The '''Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)''' (also known as House Bill 3261 or H.R. 3261) is a bill which was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011, by House Judiciary Committee Chair [[Lamar Smith]] (R-TX) which would impose a number of controversial measures for dealing with online piracy including the distribution of copyrighted material via the [[internet]]. If passed, this bill would give the United States law enforcement and copyright holders greater control to fight Internet [[piracy]] (copyright infringement). The Attorney General would be able to close down websites that infringe copyrights, and ban the site from online payment mechanisms such as [[PayPal]] and [[Visa]]. He could also prohibit the sites' online advertising, and disable [[Google]] from ranking and linking to infringing sites.

The '''Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)''' (also known as House Bill 3261 or H.R. 3261) is a bill demanded by wealthy [[liberals]] in [[Hollywood]] and the music industry, who are massive contributors to the [[Democrat Party]].  If passed, this bill would impose a number of controversial measures for dealing with online piracy including the distribution of copyrighted material via the [[internet]]. The Attorney General would be able to close down websites that infringe copyrights, and ban the site from online payment mechanisms such as [[PayPal]] and [[Visa]]. He could also prohibit the sites' online advertising, and disable [[Google]] from ranking and linking to infringing sites.

It is supported by [[liberal]] Senator [[Harry Reid]] (D-NV).

It is publicly supported by [[liberal]] Senator [[Harry Reid]] (D-NV), who enables it to be pushed through the [[U.S. Senate]].  [[Barack Obama]] is probably signaling his support behind the scenes, while publicly pretending to be reasonable.  House Judiciary Committee Chair [[Lamar Smith]] (R-TX) has also supported it.

Proponents of the bill claim that it exists to protect the intellectual properties, and revenue of copyright holders, and is necessary to enforce copyright laws in the US. However, opponents state that it violates the [[First Amendment]], that it will cripple and ultimately destroy the [[internet]], and will threaten online free speech. Some critics have likened this bill to China's [[Great Firewall]].

Proponents of the bill claim that it exists to protect the intellectual properties, and revenue of copyright holders, and is necessary to enforce copyright laws in the US. However, opponents state that it violates the [[First Amendment]], that it will cripple and ultimately destroy the [[internet]], and will threaten online free speech. Some critics have likened this bill to China's [[Great Firewall]].