Community Corner

Internet Blackout Begins in Protest of SOPA

Wikipedia and other popular websites have gone black for the next 24 hours in protest of anti-piracy legislation.

Members of Congress who represent Missouri may start getting phone calls very soon from residents about Internet censorship. At least that's the hope of Wikipedia and other popular websites like Reddit, Mozilla and Boing Boing.

The sites are among thousands that have gone black for the next 24 hours in protest of House Resolution 3261 and Senate Bill 968, also known as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect I-P Act (PIPA).

The anti-piracy legislation aims to deter copyright infringement, according to an article from the Huffington Post. The blackout started at 11 p.m. and will continue for the next 24 hours.

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Patch nor its parent company, AOL, is participating in the blackout.

"As written, we cannot support the bills.  We believe an open Internet is critical for innovation, job creation, and the sustained growth of Internet businesses. We are in the process of working directly with lawmakers to improve the bills," Tekedra N. Mawakana, AOL's Senior Vice President of Public Policy, said.

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Are you in support of or against this legislation? What is your take on online piracy?


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