I am sad to see that not enough support has been rallied to stop SOPA and PIPA. I am concerned with the implications of SOPA and PIPA, I hope that you are not going to support this massive power grab. As an artist that is constantly posting my copyrighted images on the web I understand the need for better protecting my property and rights. This SOPA and PIPA nonsense would not really be doing that. You would be allowing the government to open “Pandora’s Box” one that couldn’t be closed. I don’t think anyone especially not the government should have that level of power.
This is like telling children in a classroom that they can play with whatever toys that they want in the toy box, as long as it’s their toy. Then as the children are playing one child picks up a toy that is not his, you smack that child and then burn the box along with everyone elses toys. This is an odd way of looking at it maybe but in my opinion more realistic than you may think. The internet is very young and we are still trying to educate everyone on how to use it. There are many people out there that still think,”…if it’s on the web I can do whatever I want with it…” this is incorrect and wrong. But if say a grandparent or an enemy posts an image, music file, video or even a link to one on your website (Toy box) forum you could be shut down PERMANENTLY! How many children are going to keep trying to play!
Individual users that post illegal links and infringe on copyright should be slammed for sure. But the whole site and the people who enjoy it shouldn’t be punished for one dumb person and one dumb post. SOPA and PIPA would force the whole site to be blocked and black listed because of one ignorant person reposting a link to a copyrighted page. This is way too far and won’t stop the real criminals that are stealing real information that has monetary value daily.
The initial reasons are fine I am opposed to theft in any form, this will not fix that. This opens a door that will allow for a massive power grab. Businesses and individuals that run personal websites that are seeking to share information and ideas “MIGHT” wind up black listed and blocked because someone doesn’t like what they have to say all you have to do is have one person post one image owned by CNN and you could get shut down. This is upsetting both sides of the political spectrum and I hope that you don’t participate in nailing the coffin on freedom shut!
This is a link to the Google information page on SOPA and PIPA
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/sopa-pipa/
Contact your Local and State Representatives today and let them know that this is not going to fly with us!
Douglas Lee Coon
Photographer
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