Wikipedia 24hour blackout

[yorkie_chris]

It's not about what it actually says, it's how it will be implemented and what doors it opens.

True but they can only (or should) be able to target sites that do the things they mentioned. if the site isn't breaking the law then theoretically, why worry?

[SoulKiss]

Look at copyright.

Look at its beginning, what the terms were, then look at it now.

It has changed beyond recognition.

Back in the 50's/60's it was not uncommon for 2 or 3 bands to have the same song in the charts, nowadays a band expects to hace a hit song and live like kings off it it for the rest of their lives and increasingly their children.

Look at the harm Apple are doing, saying that Samsung, by producing something of a similar (yet fairly obvious) design with its Tablets and Phones (of which there are few workable designs/layouts) are breaking their Copyright.

Originally Posted by tactcom7

True but they can only (or should) be able to target sites that do the things they mentioned. if the site isn't breaking the law then theoretically, why worry?

Because if someone posts a link to a site that is not considered acceptable would that not make this this site fall under those rules of being unacceptable?

Are people not missing the point? Wikipedia is having a blackout to raise awareness of yet another potentially world changing legislation that is trying to be slipped under the radar as being for the good of the world. I'm sure people have heard of the beautifully named patriot act, this is another massively controlling legislation to try & destroy the freedom of speech & allows the US government to detain people with no actual evidence for as long as they like, does that sound fair? Because this won't be either

I'm a bit annoyed

Look at this

[BanannaMan]

The US government becomes more Nazi every day.
If one of the states in the US were talking about voting for independence like Scotland is now, Political leaders would be jailed for treason the US government would send in the troops and wipe any demostrators out. .
Land of the free? That's a right laugh.



Although I can see there being worldwide effects from it. Why does wiki not put this on the US site where the legislation is actually being voted on???
Would do little good for someone in the UK to petition US lawmakers.

Originally Posted by tactcom7

True but they can only (or should) be able to target sites that do the things they mentioned. if the site isn't breaking the law then theoretically, why worry?

I suppose it's like the anti terrorist laws good in theory yet if you browse around a photography forum for half hour you will see how many people get stopped and searched for taking pictures in London

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Same as the EU walking all over the biking laws, every little change is part of a massive effort at control.

Yes.Its about long term erosion of basic freedoms in many different areas,resulting in the concentration of power in the hands of a very powerful elite.Once its gone it will take generations to get it back,just like it took generations to obtain in the first place.As the unfortuneately named Mr burke once said-----All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.

[timwilky]

I notice a number of sponsors for the two US bills are backing out. Maybe they realise poor law is worse than no law.

The issue to me is that content owners can apply to the courts and have sites shut down. There is no mechanism to reinstate those sites should the allegations prove incorrect or offending material removed etc. For commercial operators one small issue could collapse a business.

The US courts have no business dictating how the internet works. The only way that anyone could be compliant is to separate the US from the internet. Let them operate a US net and then install filtering links to provide internet connectivity for non US content. In other words let the US operate like China.

Wait wait wait wait WAIT!
This means the end of online porn.... Im outraged!