Who turned out the lights on the Internet?

1/18/2012

Is one of your favorite Internet sites dark today?  If you tried to access Wikipedia, Reddit, TwitPic and other popular web sites today, you have found yourself unable to do so because of a blackout in opposition of proposed federal legislation.

Nate Steed, an attorney at Warner Norcross who focuses his practice in technology and intellectual property, as well as information security law, said that today’s blackout is in response to the Stop Online Piracy Act, which is being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Protect IP Act, its companion legislation in the Senate.

The proposed legislation would give the U.S. Department of Justice the authority to target foreign web sites that willfully misappropriate intellectual property, such as popular movies or music.  If passed, the legislation would give the DOJ the teeth to force U.S. companies that do business with these sites to sever ties -- or face expensive lawsuits and fines.  Nate says that this has the potential to affect companies who advertise online, accept credit cards or serve as ISPs and would force them to monitor and then protect their sites constantly for pirates. 

“While organizations like the Motion Picture Association of America applaud the move, Internet companies from Google to Facebook are calling foul,” Nate explains.  “The new rules could stifle start-ups and fledgling Internet companies because of the costs associated with monitoring.  All Internet-based companies in the United States could be exposed to frivolous lawsuits that few could afford.”

Wikipedia and other sites have gone dark today to call attention to the legislative battle, which is working its way through the House and Senate. 

For more information on Warner’s Technology & Intellectual Property Group, click here.
 
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