WEBSITE BLACKOUT Websites Protest Proposed Anti-Piracy Bills
Reported by: Atish Baidya
Web Producer: Atish Baidya
Reported: Jan. 18, 2012 7:05 AM EST
Updated: Jan. 18, 2012 7:51 AM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
If you are trying to look up something on the popular online encyclopedia Wikipedia today, you're out of luck.
The site along with several others, like Reddit, TwitPic, and WordPress, are taking part in an internet blackout to protest two proposed anti-piracy bills up for debate by Congress.
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) target overseas sites like Pirate Bay that allow users to share illegal downloads of digital content like movies and music. It would require US-based companies like Internet service providers to cut off ties with such sites.
Supporters of the bills say online piracy threaten jobs and innovation in industries that deal heavily with intellectual property. Opponents argue the bills limit freedom of expression and effectively censors the Internet.
The Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on PIPA on January 24. The House is set to work on SOPA in February but alternative legislation, the Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade (OPEN) Act is set to be introduced today.
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Atish Baidya
