RI’s Delegation Differs on Internet Piracy Bill
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Depending on which side is talking, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) will either destroy the web as Americans know it or save the world from digital pirates dead set on making movies, music and video games free to anyone with a speedy internet connection.
With several prominent websites –including Wikipedia- down on Wednesday in protest of the legislation, members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation sounded off about their stance on the bill, with the majority coming out in opposition.
Only Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has expressed support for a similar bill – the Protect IP Act- which he says is a better alternative to the SOPA. The Senator said his concern with online piracy that consumers are being harmed and jobs are being lost as a result of obscure websites that sell fraudulent prescription drugs or promote illegal downloads.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"American copyright and trademark holders create millions of jobs, generate billions of dollars in tax revenue, and manufacture products we use every day - from pharmaceuticals to computer software. Foreign websites dedicated to selling fraudulent products are part of a cybercrime industry that threatens those jobs, and can result in American consumers being seriously injured, whether by fake prescription drugs or by dangerous counterfeit electronics,” Whitehouse said. “The PROTECT IP Act is a sensible, bipartisan response to this serious problem. I’ve listened to a wide range of views and I support Chairman Leahy's decision to remove, until further study, the bill's provision of a particular technique for law enforcement to block access to foreign rogue websites, in a bill that will advance protections for American intellectual property online."
Langevin Co-Sponsors New Bill
But other members of the Delegation remain opposed to both the SOPA and the legislation Whitehouse is co-sponsoring. Congressman James Langevin, who came out against the legislations weeks ago said he understands the need to protect copyright, but he believes there are other answers.
On Wednesday, he announced that he would co-sponsor the Online Protection & Enforcement of Digital Trade Act, a bill that delivers stronger intellectual property rights for American artists and innovators while still protecting the internet. This bill would apply due process to investigate intellectual property infringement claims against foreign “rogue” websites and cuts off funding to sites found to be willfully and primarily trafficking infringed material.
“We must act to use existing laws and organizations along with new marketing regimes to crack down on digital pirates while fully leveraging a growing market for online content,” said Langevin, a co-founder of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus. “Instead of trying to mitigate security, economic, and Internet freedom concerns with broad, over-reaching technical solutions, I support proposals like this one that seek a middle ground for curbing online piracy while protecting American jobs and innovative technologies that have allowed us to remain the world leader online.”
Cicilline Against SOPA
Congressman Cicilline also announced he is against the SOPA in its current form, but he did not rule out support for other possible legislation.
“Although I am deeply concerned that online piracy is a serious issue confronting American businesses and intellectual property owners, as currently written, SOPA unduly burdens constitutional rights of freedom of speech and due process, poses significant threats to the Internet remaining open, safe and secure, and could stifle future innovation that would be counterproductive to future growth and development of our nation.”
Unprecedented Public Pressure
According to former State Rep. David Segal, the executive director of Demand Progress, the group leading the charge in opposition to the SOPA, Rhode Island’s delegation should listen to the “overwhelming” public opposition to the bill.
"I hope that in the face of unprecedented public pressure, I hope that the delegation sides with clear, overwhelming, public sentiment and votes against this legislation -- no matter where they were on it when it was first introduced. We understand constituent contacts to be running 95%-plus against the bill,” Segal said.
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