Web Marketers Should Be Against SOPA

Right now, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could profoundly affect the future of the internet. It’s called the SOPA.

The fact is that this legislation as written won’t stop piracy. But it would pose a serious threat to social media and user generated content sites (like YouTube) across the internet. It could also undermine some of the core technical systems underlying the internet, creating new cybersecurity risks.

We’d also strongly recommend that everyone concerned about this take heed of Joe Brockmeier’s wise words on the topic (via RWW):

I’m glad that all of these organizations are
taking a stand. But invoking what some call the “nuclear option” is only going to be so effective. Even if SOPA/PIPA are stopped this year, they’ll be back under new names next year. The entertainment industry can afford to keep at it, knowing that the public’s attention span is extremely short. The lobbyists who work on things like SOPA are paid to press these things through Congress. They can focus on them year after year, while the voting public has to make a conscious effort to keep tabs on their representatives.

Informing people about SOPA and asking that they call their representatives is all well and good, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough.

What the SOPA protesters should say is that even if SOPA goes down in flames, it’s not over. It’s never over. Further, the public can not rely on mainstream media to warn them of this sort of legislation. This is doubly true when the legislation is supported by the same organizations that ownthe media.

Sure, call your representative and senators today. Protest SOPA and PIPA. But beyond that, keep paying attention to what your elected officials are doing. Spend a little more time paying attention to your government, even if it means spending a little less time on entertainment activities.