This article is by far one of the most controversial I have ever read. This new bill, Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA), is such a double sided issue. On one side, I understand the need for such a bill. So many of our artists and actors are being ripped off by their products being stolen on the Internet. Not only that, but normal people like us, who buy products which are a total fraud. At this point there does not seem to be a lot of protection for any of these people. In the past, numerous law suits were filed when one of the large dish satellite companies sued thousands of people for illegal using their signals for free TV. However, this was a complicated procedure and it was a hit and miss program.
This COICA bill would give the DOJ the ability to close down domains and web sites they feel are dedicated to infringement. However, I feel it gives them to much power. This is America where we are not usually dictated to. There must be a balance of power in this bill which from my understanding is sadly lacking. One of the good things it does give is protection to service providers that do block access to possible infringement web sites from legal action. Will such a bill actually force the Internet itself to eventually be unable to be worth anything due to the blocked sites of everyone trying to protect themselves. Individuals who are vandalized this way are already able to file civil suits against you as the satellite dish people did in the past. So why does the government feel it must dictate to us further. I am not in favor of those people who do wrong by stealing someone else's work for free or who try and cheat hard working people out of their money for false products, however, I feel that this bill goes to far and is an infringement on the rights of all Americans.
I think it will be hard to determine whether the domain is dedicated to infringement, or if infringement just happens on the website without the site's help or knowledge. I agree with you about it giving them too much power, and if the perpetrators could already be taken to court, is there a need for this bill?
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Though I believe there are instances where government regulations do promote innovation in the form of patent protection, the line that should not be crossed is the one where a government agency is given the power to shut-down a persons creation based on nothing other than a speculative conclusion that that persons creation is infringing on the profits of another. All of these cases deserve a day in court where the facts can be presented by both sides and a just ruling can be issues. When this right is suppressed, democracy looses and consequently we move towards a dictatorial regime.
ReplyDeleteI agree thaat this bill could possibly push the limits of government's control over the internet and as the Mark said if these artists can take people to court do we really need a bill prohibiting these websites. Furthermore, I believe thats artists these days know what will happen when they produce or create things in this day and age...it will be replicated for free pn the internet. I think this is another issue that all artists must consider when choosing to produce something. They will have to decide if it is worth doing.
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