SOPA and PIPA: Changing the Way We Use the Internet?

In all likelihood, you probably came across some unfamiliar images on your computer screen yesterday while accessing any one of several highly-used websites. For example, Google’s logo was covered by a black strip and Wikipedia’s information could not be accessed by users at all. This is the first time that Wikipedia’s English version has ever been blacked out. Approximately 162 million people unsuccessfully attempted to access the website during this protest.

These and other actions were all in response to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). The SOPA bill, H.R. 3261, can be read here. The bill’s aim is to stop non-U.S websites that sell pirated movies and fraudulent goods by making Google and other online services block them. The movie and music industries especially support the two acts. For more information on SOPA and PIPA listen to this hearing from June 22, 2011.

In addition to Wikipedia and Google, Facebook also made its view on SOPA and PIPA known. Although Facebook itself did not alter user access, its founder Mark Zuckerberg posted his first tweet in almost three years and also posted on Facebook to show his disapproval. He wrote, “The internet is the most powerful tool we have for creating a more open and connected world. We can’t let poorly thought out laws get in the way of the internet’s development. Facebook opposes SOPA and PIPA, and we will continue to oppose any laws that will hurt the internet.”

These actions by Wikipedia, Google, Facebook, and others were far more than a publicity stunt. Together they have already caused a great deal of change. Several senators and representatives that were originally co-sponsors for the bills, such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.), have pulled their support since the online demonstrations.