Aion Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I've been following bits of the USA's new s.o.p.a. law that's currently under review, which is supposed to stop online piracy. If the bill passes, it will be illegal to do pretty much anything online with content you do not own the rights to. This applies to sharing files (music, films, pictures, etc), streaming media (will become a felony), video/audio of coverbands, and yes...modding as well. Because what do we do when we mod games such as Baldur's Gate? We edit and add to existing content we don't own the rights to, and sometimes we use portraits from other sources, whether photoshopped or not. According to the new bill, that will become illegal as well. If the bill passes, any organization (in this case, Bioware and related companies) is free to take legal action against whatever website they suspect (Yes, suspect. No proof is necessary, nor any legal court process) of partcipating in illegal things, and can shut websites down, cut off financial support such as PayPal donations, and imprison those they feel like imprisoning. It will likely destroy the internet as we know it. Sites like Wikipedia will be shut down, along with many others, and ISP's will be forced to block a large percent of the net. The bill is very vague and broad in what is deemed "illegal", so even things you once thought was harmless (modding, for example) suddenly becomes a crime. The effects are not just for US citizens, but for people all over the world. I'm doubtful whether such an outrageous bill will even pass. It will blow up in their faces in various ways if it passes. Millions of people are against it, and I can see why. I'm not a supporter of piracy, but the current suggestion of this bill is like nuking the internet. There are other, better ways that they should consider. I'd rather they reconsider now, instead of nuking the net and standing there, looking over the ruins going "Hmm...maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all." If you're against this bill passing, please sign the petitions against it. The bill will affect the modding scene if it passes. I wonder how you all feel about it. I used to be more nonchalant about this topic, as I'm guessing most of you are as well, seeing how this hasn't been brought up before, but now I'm not so sure what'll happen to the net and everything on it. If this is the future, I weep for mankind. Discuss this topic here. Link to comment
Aion Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 I saw the news this morning. The day after Wikipedia and many other sites went "black" as protest to the SOPA and PIPA laws, the FBI went and took the filehosting service MegaUpload offline and arrested people who worked there. Hackergroup Anonymous launched a counterattack with what they called "the biggest attack ever", and forced many government and music label websites to go offline. While I don't support piracy (I'm a musician), I also don't support the destruction of the internet, which imho is what SOPA will do. I wish they wouldn't nuke the net before starting to think of different solutions. It seems that despite SOPA & PIPA haven't passed and President Obama is against it, they went ahead and started their offense. And so the internetbattle between the governments & corporations vs. the common man begins... Take this seriously, people. Even if you don't live in the USA, it will still affect you. It will harm and destroy the internet, arguably the most valuable, useful tool mankind has created in the last couple of decades. And if you only care about modding, yes, modding will be affected too. Google for the news on this if you won't take my word for it. Cheers. Aion out. Link to comment
Rhaella Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Eh, even if by some miracle it passes (and I don't think it has enough support behind it to get past the inevitable executive veto), it's not remotely constitutional. Pretty sure SCOTUS would take the inevitable case and unite against it in an instant. Link to comment
Aion Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Perhaps, but the more we oppose it, the better. I won't take a nonchalant stance. And with that, after round one: SOPA/PIPA, I present round two: HR 1981 Goddamnit. Now they're trying to pass "H.R. 1981" bill, known as the "protect children from internet pornographers act", but better known as the new "Internet Snooping Bill". Again, that isn't the true purpose...it's just a name. What it *really* does is force your ISP to store your personal information for 12 months, and make it available to the government, without you having a say in the matter. This personal information includes: your name, address, phone number, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and temporarily-assigned IP addresses. You don't even have to be suspected of any crime at all for them to do that. They just do. More information here: http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/snooping_bill Also visit this. Oppose HR 1981!!!! https://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8175 Link to comment
Aion Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 If you thought the USA was the only place for crap like SOPA, PIPA and HR 1981, think again. Europe is now thinking on passing a similar bill really soon, called ACTA. In the nine hells, stop trying to screw us over! Click here to STOP the EU parliament from signing this damned bill! https://www.accessnow.org/page/s/just-say-no-to-acta Link to comment
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