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The '''Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)''' (also known as House Bill 3261 or H.R. 3261) is a bill demanded by [[Hollywood]] [[liberals]] who are big supporters of the [[Democrat Party]] and [[Obama]]'s reelection efforts.  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.   

The '''Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)''' (also known as House Bill 3261 or H.R. 3261) is a bill demanded by [[Hollywood]] [[liberals]]{{cn}} who are big supporters of the [[Democrat Party]] and [[Obama]]'s reelection efforts.  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.   

SOPA is being pushed through the [[Democratic]] Senate by [[Harry Reid]] (D-NV), whom liberals helped reelect in 2010.  The bill was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chair [[Lamar Smith]] (R-TX).<ref>http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/112%20HR%203261.pdf</ref>

The bill was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chair [[Lamar Smith]] (R-TX).<ref>http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/112%20HR%203261.pdf</ref> The corresponding Senate bill, the PROTECT IP Act, is being pushed through the [[Democratic]] Senate by [[Harry Reid]] (D-NV), whom liberals helped reelect in 2010. 

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]].