We can be thankful this holiday season that the Internet as we know it is safe. We stopped lobbyists from big record and movie companies and the Chamber of Commerce from giving themselves the ability to demand that the government shut down websites they're uncomfortable with without due process.
But this fight is not over. The big corporations that want this legislation rammed through are still going to push hard for it in early 2012.
MoveOn members, along with other progressive organizations, entrepreneurs, tech companies, and free speech advocates, created tremendous public pressure to block this legislation. The House version of the Internet Censorship Act stalled during its House Judiciary Committee hearing last week.1 The Senate version has been punted to next year, and Sen. Wyden has reaffirmed his promise to filibuster the legislation.2
THEN THIS:
That a member of an autocratic Arab regime would invest in Twitter, a key enabler of the Arab Spring, is great fodder for tweets. But it doesn't herald a revolution in the website's ownership.
MoveOn members, along with other progressive organizations, entrepreneurs, tech companies, and free speech advocates, created tremendous public pressure to block this legislation. The House version of the Internet Censorship Act stalled during its House Judiciary Committee hearing last week.1 The Senate version has been punted to next year, and Sen. Wyden has reaffirmed his promise to filibuster the legislation.2
We've got to stay committed to protecting the Internet. In early January we'll need to go to bat for this again to stop Internet censorship with more action and energy.
In the meantime, enjoy the Internet, and thanks for all you do.
–Garlin, Daniel, Elena, Stefanie, and the rest of the team
1. "Stop Online Piracy Act Vote Delayed," Wired, December 16, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268935&id=34084-18633398-cklc87x&t=1
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268935&id=34084-18633398-cklc87x&t=1
2. "Wyden Delivers Floor Speech on the Motion to Proceed to Protect IP," Senator Ron Wyden, December 17, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268936&id=&id=34084-18633398-cklc87x&t=2
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268936&id=&id=34084-18633398-cklc87x&t=2
THEN THIS:
Saudi prince's Twitter investment doesn't herald an ownership revolution
Updated: 12/21/2011 09:17:14 AM CST
That a member of an autocratic Arab regime would invest in Twitter, a key enabler of the Arab Spring, is great fodder for tweets. But it doesn't herald a revolution in the website's ownership.
That's because the $300 million investment by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, which he announced Monday, actually came months ago as part of Twitter Inc.'s last round of financing. More important, it wasn't the company that received the money. Rather, it went to existing investors and employees cashing in part of their stake, according to a person familiar with the matter. It's a good indication that Twitter's road to an initial public offering will be much longer than that of several of its peers.
Against SOPA
(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) released on January 18, 2012, the following statement in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA):
“The uncertainty created by the flaws in SOPA will hurt innovation and kill jobs at a time when we strongly need new, creative startups,” said Broun. “As proposed, SOPA has the potential to cause security threats and the bill is too vague to effectively combat piracy.
“I will continue to work to find ways that protect both intellectual and physical property rights, but not at the price of free speech and one of our greatest sources of growth and innovation: free internet.”
Against SOPA
(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) released on January 18, 2012, the following statement in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA):
“The uncertainty created by the flaws in SOPA will hurt innovation and kill jobs at a time when we strongly need new, creative startups,” said Broun. “As proposed, SOPA has the potential to cause security threats and the bill is too vague to effectively combat piracy.
“I will continue to work to find ways that protect both intellectual and physical property rights, but not at the price of free speech and one of our greatest sources of growth and innovation: free internet.”
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