( Opinions are my own and does not reflect anybody who employs me or my current employer )
So , Wikipedia and others major web sites who host content ( some of theirs and some are links ) went blank for a day !!!
Why ?
So, this is what the new US bill that is being tabled is about.
The US govt wants to protect IP ( Intellectual property ) and also have more control on the content being rendered on internet giants like Yahoo and Google. In this regard they are bringing out 2 new bills ( or laws ) to protect IP and remove or disassociate those who have links on their web sites by telling advertisers - not to do business with them and also putting sanctions on them.
The bills are SOPA and PIPA
SOPA ( Stop Online Piracy Act ) - tabled in the Senate.
PIPA - Protect Intellectual Property - tabled in the House ( more on what a senate and house means later )
What will happen if this comes in place :
- It will enable any body who owns Intellectual property OR the US govt to demand search engines to shutdown or delete links, since they found it was having links to sites that are violating copyrights.
e.g: if a major online presence company has a link to a site that has violated or has content that has copyright infringements , then the US govt or the individual who owns the IP finds this out - then he/she or the Govt can demand to shutdown or pose legal challenges.
That's what the companies like Wikipedia and others are worried about.
So, what exactly is Wikipedia worried about........... that it can be sued ( at least that's what I assume ), and it cannot be policing every entry in the portal - since there are individual /authors /editors who write stuff and create links (which some may not know are copyright violated ), So now all of a sudden Wikipedia is responsible for it. That is what the concern is about.
Also, it could threaten or wipe out the editors innovation since the editors are not sure if the content or the link has violated IP and these things could take away the motivation to present or write such material.
Sources :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/internet/Part-of-web-goes-dark-in-protest-against-anti-piracy-bills/articleshow/11541849.cms
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What's his house and senate ? ( In the US - there are two chambers in the US congress)
1.A house is a set of elected representatives who are elected by limited citizens in a certain geography in each state and is closely representing the govt.
3. Senate - A set of elected individuals ( also called as senators ) will think of the nation as a whole and not the certain geography he comes from.
By creating the difference here the founding fathers of the US constitution ensured that the legislation would consider both the short and long term implications of the country and the region.
So, essentially for every state - there is an elected representative. (one or more -depending on the density)
and likewise there is a Senator (one or more ) for every state in the US.
For a legislation or a bill to be passed - both the 'US House of Representatives' and the Senate ( consisting of senators ) have to debate before enacting it into a bill.
Back to the topic - the PIPA is in the Senate, and the SOPA is in the house where it is being debated.
Sources:
Senate and House of Representatives
So , Wikipedia and others major web sites who host content ( some of theirs and some are links ) went blank for a day !!!
Why ?
So, this is what the new US bill that is being tabled is about.
The US govt wants to protect IP ( Intellectual property ) and also have more control on the content being rendered on internet giants like Yahoo and Google. In this regard they are bringing out 2 new bills ( or laws ) to protect IP and remove or disassociate those who have links on their web sites by telling advertisers - not to do business with them and also putting sanctions on them.
The bills are SOPA and PIPA
SOPA ( Stop Online Piracy Act ) - tabled in the Senate.
PIPA - Protect Intellectual Property - tabled in the House ( more on what a senate and house means later )
What will happen if this comes in place :
- It will enable any body who owns Intellectual property OR the US govt to demand search engines to shutdown or delete links, since they found it was having links to sites that are violating copyrights.
e.g: if a major online presence company has a link to a site that has violated or has content that has copyright infringements , then the US govt or the individual who owns the IP finds this out - then he/she or the Govt can demand to shutdown or pose legal challenges.
That's what the companies like Wikipedia and others are worried about.
So, what exactly is Wikipedia worried about........... that it can be sued ( at least that's what I assume ), and it cannot be policing every entry in the portal - since there are individual /authors /editors who write stuff and create links (which some may not know are copyright violated ), So now all of a sudden Wikipedia is responsible for it. That is what the concern is about.
Also, it could threaten or wipe out the editors innovation since the editors are not sure if the content or the link has violated IP and these things could take away the motivation to present or write such material.
Sources :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/internet/Part-of-web-goes-dark-in-protest-against-anti-piracy-bills/articleshow/11541849.cms
--
What's his house and senate ? ( In the US - there are two chambers in the US congress)
1.A house is a set of elected representatives who are elected by limited citizens in a certain geography in each state and is closely representing the govt.
3. Senate - A set of elected individuals ( also called as senators ) will think of the nation as a whole and not the certain geography he comes from.
By creating the difference here the founding fathers of the US constitution ensured that the legislation would consider both the short and long term implications of the country and the region.
So, essentially for every state - there is an elected representative. (one or more -depending on the density)
and likewise there is a Senator (one or more ) for every state in the US.
For a legislation or a bill to be passed - both the 'US House of Representatives' and the Senate ( consisting of senators ) have to debate before enacting it into a bill.
Back to the topic - the PIPA is in the Senate, and the SOPA is in the house where it is being debated.
Sources:
Senate and House of Representatives
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