COMMENTARY | Mashable reports that Wikipedia is one of many websites that will be going dark Wednesday January 18, 2012, to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act, which is also known as SOPA. SOPA would make websites susceptible to a government shutdown if content submitted to the website was found to be copyrighted. As a user of the Internet, Wikipedia, and many other websites, here is how I feel about the blackouts to show opposition for the bill, and SOPA in general.
I use the Internet every day as a way to make money, whether it is freelance writing or taking surveys in exchange for Amazon gift certificates. SOPA would basically render every site I go to, such as Wikipedia, Mozilla, and Craigslist susceptible to being shut down over copyright or piracy. While I agree that illegal downloading of materials and copyright infringement are serious issues, SOPA crosses the line into total government control. Wikipedia is one of the freest websites on the Internet, and although I would hate to not have access for 24 hours, I think this is the best way to go about a protest. As a longtime Internet user, I agree on the protest measures because this will allow people from all over the world to see what might happen if SOPA is indeed passed. This will also give people the opportunity to write those in Congress to show opposition for the bill. These websites should not be shut down over the actions of a user, and copyright infringement should be taken care of internally by the website. I do not like it when websites go down, but to do it in order to protest a serious issue such as SOPA, I am supportive of the move.
Although SOPA is not the answer to Internet piracy or copyright infringement, I am glad that people have taken notice to the seriousness of such acts on the Internet. I am opposed to SOPA hardcore, but am glad it has brought the issue of copyright infringement to the forefront, especially since I am a freelance writer. As a frequent user of the websites going black, I do not like these websites going down because it hurts me as a freelance writer, and interferes with my ability to make money. There is also the fact that the websites choosing to go black will lose business due to the fact people will not be able to reach the English version of the website. I do however think that it is great that so many large companies are banding together against SOPA, because this just shows how negatively SOPA would influence the Internet, and every business that relies on the Internet. When it comes to Internet piracy, I feel it is a war that will never be won, and should not be fought at the expense of those that rely on the Internet to make money, such as myself.
Myself, Personal Opinion
Zachary Sniderman, “These Websites Are Going Dark to Protest SOPA Wednesday”, Mashable