We missed the SOPA Strike yesterday, but I’d like to add my voice to the discussion. At Intwischa we’re constantly referencing copyrighted material. It’s hard to get around it, if we’re going to talk about the copyrighted games we’re playing. We also use images in almost every one of our posts.

Though I’m not a lawyer, I think that all of our references have been fair use. We also use Creative Commons licensed graphics almost exclusively. However, if the author of SOPA himself can be unintentionally (we assume) involved in copyright infringement, what chance do the rest of us have of complying?

In Lamar Smith’s case it’s doubtful that he would be targeted for his infringement. For people like us, however, even an accusation of a violation could get us cut off from the internet at the request of the copyright holder, without spending a day in court. We certainly don’t have the means to fight such an action.

This is on top of the much maligned aspects of the bills that could break the internet as we know it. Being a software developer, the fact that congress would attempt to hack the internet without even consulting an expert, and despite the vehement opposition of the experts, is infuriating. To paraphrase Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R Utah), it’s like trying to do surgery without consulting a doctor.

Not having consulted the other authors here, I can only speak for myself, but I strongly oppose these two bills. They would put at risk both our ability to operate this blog, and the operation of the global network that makes all blogs possible. I hope you’ll join me in this.

Other Resources