Jimquisition: Sony, Nintendo, EA and SOPA

[De Ronneman]

I have actually done a bit of research into this bill for a Constitutional Law paper. It was about Constitutional supervision by judges, which the Netherlands might implement. I wanted to use it as an example of a law that has a nice idea behind it, but having dangerous consequences. The great idea being IP, but possible results being the ones Jim pointed out: Destructiod, the Escapist or any other gaming website would be screwed.

I didn't use it as an example, because it wasn't as much an example of a law with unforseen consequences, it was a piece of shitty legislation.

 

[Sandytimeman]

Yeah, the NC did a good post on this. With links to a site that helps you get in contact with your representatives and senators.

 

[Haccy]

This topic got me finally registered, yay!

I'm from Finland so I can't really contact the people making decisions over there, but what I did do was look up contact forms for Nintendo, Sony and EA (hardest one, I managed to contact them in way of a question about Sims3). These forms were via support pages and I used the appropriate US sites.

I then sent them each a short message stating that because of their actions concerning the SOPA bill I will no longer buy any of their products. I got extra satisfaction from Sony, because I might actually have bought a new Sony TV and a PS3 next year. Not anymore!

Throwing that there in case any other non-americans want to give consumer activism a try

 

[exobook]

While I will conside that this law is bad for the internet, I personly suspect that the situation is not a bad as it seems, the vague wording of the law makes it open to legal appeals that would probadly scupper the law entirely or make it useless.

The internet has reached the backlash moment in any medium when critics and detractors attempt to restrict or regulate it (think of the film and comic codes). It was inevitable that the internet would meet attempts at draconian enforcement at some point. This hasn't been the first (though one of the more restrictive) and it certainly won't be the last.

 

[Lord_Gremlin]

Wow, USA is in trouble. However, correct me if I'm wrong, this bill doesn't sit well with US law at all.
Sure, ban pirate and hacker sites. But first go to court, prove that they ARE actually indeed breaking law of your country and when court decides in your favor - then they will be banned.

 

[Something Amyss]

But its not a panic scenario. This is literally what will happen. There's no fabrication, no lies, nothing

I love how you just completely undercut the guy I replied to and basically half the thread with that.

However, yes it is a panic scenario. No, it is not literally what will happen. I suggest you look up the word "literal." People are using scare tactics to stir up a frenzy.

 

[Hugga_Bear]

So, say the bill passes and it gets sorted in the States...

Surely everyone just hosts their sites abroad? I would be AMAZED if it passed but even if it did aren't there numerous, simple workarounds? The EU isn't likely to play along, we have some lobbying around here but most countries will wipe their arse with such a bill...

 

[Exterminas]

That was actually an impressive speech for an (as far as I know) untrained person. Speaking five minutes in a passinate tone without losing your train of thought.

Kudos for that

Sadly I am not an US-Citizen so all I could do to stop that bill would be flicking paper balls across the Atlantic.

 

[BoredRolePlayer]

Why is the La Li Lu Le Lo getting so strong now ?

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

Sony, Nintendo, EA and SOPA

The Stop Online Piracy Act may sound innocuous, but it's a nasty little proposition that gives corporations uncontested rights to control what you enjoy on the Internet. Naturally, being a horrible thing, EA can't wait to climb aboard, along with a number of other publishers. The Internet shouldn't be censored by cowardly companies who are afraid of it, and The Jimquisition urges you take note of what these organizations want to do.

Watch Video

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of myself and many of the gaming community. I've posted a message on my website about it as well, and while it's not much, hopefully, we'll be able to do something about this idiocy.

 

[Spaceparanoid42]

I don't live in the USA so I don't give a fuck.

Do you use Youtube? Facebook? Google? Deviantart? TvTropes? 4chan? Wikipedia? This very site? If the answer to any of those is yes, (and it is in at least one case,) you SHOULD give a fuck, because they are all based in the USA, they all have copyrighted material, and they all will be shut down if this bill passes. Whether you live in the USA or not, this WILL effect you.

So, say the bill passes and it gets sorted in the States...

Surely everyone just hosts their sites abroad? I would be AMAZED if it passed but even if it did aren't there numerous, simple workarounds? The EU isn't likely to play along, we have some lobbying around here but most countries will wipe their arse with such a bill...

Moving abroad wouldn't help much if "SOPA" or "Protect IP" is passed in congress. One of the provisions of the bills is that overseas websites can be blocked entirely from the USA if they violate copyright, so they can't reach American audiences one way or the other. I don't think companies like Google could afford to move abroad if they still can't get users in America. It's just too big a percentage of their traffic.

If any of these bullshit corporate copyright laws get passed, It will effect everyone everywhere, and not for the better. Anyone who supports free speech and free information on the web, anyone who doesn't want to see the entire internet censored needs to oppose these bills.

 

[Kingsnake661]

I can't belive the goverment would vote something like this into law during an election year. Esspecially democrats who tend to rely more heavly on the youth vote. This issue seems like it'd turn that vote against them, unless i'm miss reading my current political land scape, which is possible. I don't follow it very closesly.. *shrug*

 

[Harveypot]

this could be against the law.... ;'( so can this



I mean don't take this away. Ugg. wow this is such a touchy topic.

NOOOOOOOOOO! TOBY! I'm off to sign the petition as many times as I can.

 

[jessegeek]

Insanity and stupidity of the highest order. One of the greatest things about the internet is how it raises none-cynical (ie none company-spread) buzz for a product that might have otherwise been overlooked. Cheers Jim, I live in the UK so didn't know a lot about this, and am now researching it so I can spread the word.

Also, jeez; just how much to big gaming companies want to lock themselves away in a glass tower away from their audience and ignore everything they want?

 

[Stammer]

It's not even "just could", it WILL shut down sites like The Escapist. The Escapist's heads could all go to jail for 5 years for even so much as mentioning the name "Gears of War". If someone even so much as hums Epona's Song from Ocarina of Time on a web site, THEY COULD GO TO PRISON FOR FIVE YEARS

(That's my understanding of this anyway)

I'm not an American, but my whole life is on the internet. Everything on the internet: Newgrounds, YouTube, Wikipedia, The Escapist, ThatGuyWithTheGlasses, GameSpot, whatever the hell you actually visit will shut down in fear of persecution. I like Skype too, but if that's all that's going to be left after this thing goes through...

 

[Sir Prize]

Wow....why would any sane goverment pass such a load of bs?
I'm hoping this won't get passed like many others here. I live in England and other than writing a status on it on Facebook, what can I do?

 

[SinisterGehe]

It is funny how capitalism uses capitalism to destroy capitalism. I am sure big companies will be crying to have this removed when they realize it hurts their sales... Or just move to Europe in which this doesn't apply. They can only sensor American sites and content owned by companies that are registered inside USA. Escapist move your servers to Finland, we have good rules and we pay for Internet connection's speed instead of it's bandwitch. Also we have punch of rules that could protect you.

Thank whatever deity destined me to live in the freedom of Finland and Europe. Which ironically is quite free at the end of the day. America, Land of the free, land of the brave... Yeah what a joke. Be brave enough to be free and you get your ass shipped to jail marked with a iron branding of "A very, very bad boy or a girl (To be politically correct)" And I mean the whole quote.

 

[The White Hunter]

Wow. Well we all knew EA were evil but this evil? Oh well, Battlefield 3 is still fun. Very little chance of it passing really but if it does I mean really wtf. Surely if just everyone ignored it, they cant imprison everyone? And realistically that would do fuck all in other countries, I'm doubtful the FBI can come and arrest a german bloke for a live-stream for example, at least not without causing very angry germans.

 

[The White Hunter]

Also: America, land of the stupid, home of the whopper.

[Note: Aware not all americans are stupid, but you guys do have some really shining examples of it]

 

[The White Hunter]

I don't live in the USA so I don't give a fuck.

Moving abroad wouldn't help much if "SOPA" or "Protect IP" is passed in congress. One of the provisions of the bills is that overseas websites can be blocked entirely from the USA if they violate copyright, so they can't reach American audiences one way or the other. I don't think companies like Google could afford to move abroad if they still can't get users in America. It's just too big a percentage of their traffic.

If any of these bullshit corporate copyright laws get passed, It will effect everyone everywhere, and not for the better. Anyone who supports free speech and free information on the web, anyone who doesn't want to see the entire internet censored needs to oppose these bills.

Sounds like something the chinese would pass.