Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: sciencekid on 19/01/2012 00:55:31

Title: SOPA and PIPA
Post by: sciencekid on 19/01/2012 00:55:31

Please take your side

Title: Re: SOPA and PIPA
Post by: Don_1 on 19/01/2012 11:12:38

You have not given the option of 'support with reservations' which might be my postion.

Yes I agree that copyright should be protected, if it isn't, where does the money come from to pay the film makers, music producers and the performers? Then there the researchers, novelists, playwrights etc. of both fictional and factual entertainment and information.

If I were to research and write a book on Testudines, I would be pretty peeved if it were made freely available to all and sudry, but can I place blame on the likes of Google and Wikipedia if they have links to sites which infringe my copyright?

I also think the huge profits made by the entertainment industry should be curbed. Perhaps the period of copyright protection needs to be addressed. Its a very complex business which needs a very complex solution.

Title: Re: SOPA and PIPA
Post by: CliffordK on 19/01/2012 21:29:30

I'm pretty mixed on it...  There should have been choices... 
Moderately in favor
Moderately opposed.

I'm not sure that it will be as effective as they anticipate.  A big chunk of the bills seem to be about blocking infringing domain names.  While convenient, one can direct to websites without the use of domain names.  So, unless one blocks the IP addresses, one has not actually blocked the websites.  Domain names, of course, are a dime-a-dozen...  or so.

Thus, the burden would have to be shifted from the DNS services to the ISP services to be effective.

Many websites offer free services to user based on advertising income.  I do agree that advertising companies should be aware and accountable for the sites that are displaying their ads, and what they are in fact supporting.  Cutting off the advertising revenue, and some of the "rogue" sites will disappear.  My guess it is much more convoluted though, and a small company may use an advertising agency, and not in fact be aware of where their ads are being placed.

And, of course, this is truly a global market with outsourcing of services, servers, and etc.  In many cases, a person many not in fact be aware of where the business is being conducted.  So, if I contracted with an online-only advertising agency, I might not know for sure where the business is being run.

Initially much of the internet was designed as free information exchange.  It has certainly become big business over recent years.