[Spinoza]

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

The appropriate solution is not to pass this law. There are already tools to handle copyright infringement in this country.

I'm still curious on how you think our current laws should and do handle this situation.

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

This law is not designed for people located in the US. Most US based ISP's have no problem shutting down websites that are in the wrong or are doing illegal things, like copyright infringement. This law is designed to police other countries, to FORCE them to comply (something the US should not be in the business of).

If other countries have these laws on the books, why are we even discussing this new law as an option? If our court system is not cheap and is already handling situations like these, why are we discussing this new law as an option? The precedent for abuse is just too high. Look what happens to a teacher when an accusation gets aimed at them for inappropriate behavior?

I totally agree this law is not meant for situations located here in the US. The point of the law is to give the Attorney General some ability to enforce copyright infringement against torrent sites located outside of the US that are facilitating copyright infringement. There is currently NOTHING the Attorney General can do about this, hence the need for a new law. Also it is not forcing any foreign country to do anything. The best example is the Pirate Bay. If this law passes the MPAA will go to the Attorney General and the Attorney General will request that Google, Microsoft and the ISP companies block access to this site working through the courts before it does this. The site will be free to continue, the only difference is that people who access the internet through ISPs in this country will no longer be able to view the site.

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

I have a question for you though... Are you affiliated with the MPAA or the entertainment industry in any facet? You kinda sound like you have a stake in the outcome.

I am not associated with the MPAA in anyway shape or form nor have I produced and copyrighted material although I do think I may produce some someday. So of course I need to ask you the same thing. Do you download and use copyrighted material from torrent sites. Do you have a stake in the outcome?

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

There was a company a few years ago that tried to claim they had patent rights on audio and visual transmissions over the internet (the company was acadia or something like that). This company sent out threatening legal letters to try and get websites to pay them for copyright infringement. I know, I got a letter. It was pretty big. Turns out they didn't have a case. but many companies signed an agreement to pay fees to this company in exchange for not being hauled into court.

All I'm saying is this is not a simple black and white situation, and rushing a bill through those technical idiots in congress is not the correct solution. But, there is also some shadyness to this proposed legislature. Whomever is trying to push it through, is not being totally honest in their intentions.

I read where, in the preliminary discussions or hearing (not sure what it's called) the only outside Representative was a lady lawyer from Google. The rest were for this proposed law, essentially stacking the deck for this new law. There is some shady business going on with this situation... Which is why I don't understand your support behind it.

I have to say that I only learned about this issue from this thread and originally it was linked to the information for this Bill
PROTECT IP Act of 2011 )[S.968.RS].....this is the bill in the senate and seems fairly reasonable to me, not perfect but what is. Now I realize there is a corresponding bill in the house....... Stop Online Piracy Act )[H.R.3261.IH] which is a lot more heavy handed and your right there are somethings in SOPA that would kill it for me. That being said we do not have a law that remedies this situation, one is needed and I'm sure one will get created someday.