MPAA Criticises Wikipedia For Blackout Day SOPA Protests
SOPA is targeting torrent and file-sharing websites such as The Pirate Bay but has been criticised for the power of the wording that could change how the whole Internet exists.
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'These bills are very badly written'' "But that's not really the point. The point is the bill is so over broad and so badly written that it's going to impact all kinds of things that, you know, don't have anything to do with stopping piracy."If you log on to Wikipedia today you get a blackout message pictured above along with the message "Imagine a world without free knowledge.", the first time the website has shut down in protest since its inception. Wikipedia however does remain open for those using mobile devices and if you alter your javascript you can make it work on your computer. Google.com (US site) also joined in on the protest, blacking out its logo and linking to an online petition against the proposed law. Motion Picture Association of America have frequently fought piracy and have on many occasions blamed files-sharing for the many declines in the film industry and it's no surprise to hear MPPA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd be so heavy-handed in their statement blasting websites who have commenced SOPA protests.
WASHINGTON The following is a statement by Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) on the so-called Blackout Day protesting anti-piracy legislation: Only days after the White House and chief sponsors of the legislation responded to the major concern expressed by opponents and then called for all parties to work cooperatively together, some technology business interests are resorting to stunts that punish their users or turn them into their corporate pawns, rather than coming to the table to find solutions to a problem that all now seem to agree is very real and damaging. It is an irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information use their services. It is also an abuse of power given the freedoms these companies enjoy in the marketplace today. Its a dangerous and troubling development when the platforms that serve as gateways to information intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests. A so-called blackout is yet another gimmick, albeit a dangerous one, designed to punish elected and administration officials who are working diligently to protect American jobs from foreign criminals. It is our hope that the White House and the Congress will call on those who intend to stage this blackout to stop the hyperbole and PR stunts and engage in meaningful efforts to combat piracy.
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