Archive

Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA)

  • Bigred1995
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-3804

    Introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
    The bill creates two blacklists of Internet domain names. The first can be added to by a court, the second by the Attorney General. Internet service providers would be required to block any domains on the first list. They would also receive immunity for blocking domains on the second list.

    What does everyone think? I think it's a bad idea and the first step to an government controlled Internet! (i.e. Iran)

    Site that's opposed: http://demandprogress.org/blacklist/coica

    I really couldn't find a site that was strictly in favor of it but I only had limited time to search as I'm at work! If anyone knows of or can find a site strictly in favor of it would you please post it, thanks!
  • fish82
    I wonder how much less time it would take to name these things if it wasn't a requirement to make it fit into a catchy acronym. :D
  • I Wear Pants
    It's a horrible bill.

    The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is also opposed. https://secure.eff.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=455
  • Belly35
    Only leading to goverment censorship and taxing interenet sales, adverting, log ons and services ...the first step for the goverment to tax the people and business
  • I Wear Pants
    By the way guys browse the EFF.org website. They have a ton of information on the various telecommunications and internet bills both current and proposed and stuff on privacy. Very good organization IMO.
  • I Wear Pants
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts about S.3804, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act.

    The stated goal of this bipartisan legislation is to help stop the increasing problem of online piracy and counterfeiting. The legislation would assist the Department of Justice in tracking and shutting down websites that provide unauthorized downloads, streaming, or direct sale of copyrighted material.

    Illegal file sharing and unauthorized copying of digital material prevents musicians, producers, filmmakers, software designers, and many others from reaping the fruits of their labor. Such activity has the potential to stifle artistic creativity and compromise electronic innovation. Ultimately, intellectual property theft costs our economy billions of dollars and can result in hundreds of thousands of lost jobs.

    However, I have heard from individuals who have concerns about the scope of this legislation, as well as its First Amendment implications. In particular, some are troubled by aspects of the bill that would allow the Justice Department to make permanently inaccessible domain names that are found to traffic infringing material. I take these concerns seriously.

    As the Senate considers S.3804, I will certainly keep your views in mind. Thank you again for writing.

    Sincerely,

    Sherrod Brown
    United States Senator
    I'm not encouraged by this response to my email.
  • Belly35
    Sherrod Brown
    United States Senator Ass-hole
  • I Wear Pants
    I think we actually agree on this one Belly.
  • CenterBHSFan
    Belly35;501664 wrote:Sherrod Brown
    United States Senator Ass-hole
    I Wear Pants;501669 wrote:I think we actually agree on this one Belly.

    No better/worse than representative Charlie Wilson.
  • I Wear Pants
    This is true.

    But he's never sent me an email response saying that file sharing results in "hundreds of thousands of lost jobs.". Are you fucking kidding me?
  • CenterBHSFan
    I Wear Pants;501687 wrote:This is true.

    But he's never sent me an email response saying that file sharing results in "hundreds of thousands of lost jobs.". Are you fucking kidding me?

    Oh I get what you're saying as far as that goes. But the tripe listed in your letter is basically a regurgitation of the ruling of the whole Napster thing.
    And of course a politician will never be a stand up guy and make specific references about what his plan of action is going to be concerning the topic you wrote to them to start out with. Perfect example of your letter:

    However, I have heard from individuals who have concerns about the scope of this legislation, as well as its First Amendment implications. In particular, some are troubled by aspects of the bill that would allow the Justice Department to make permanently inaccessible domain names that are found to traffic infringing material. I take these concerns seriously.

    As the Senate considers S.3804, I will certainly keep your views in mind. Thank you again for writing.

    Politicians think they're placating you. And to a large extent, they ARE placating alot of people. Those pretty words are enough to satisfy wayyyyyyy too many folks out there, so they keep doing it and get a free pass continually.
    So this jackass responds with a acutely bland and vague (I will certainly keep your views in mind) piece of manure and will go on about his business and vote the way whoever OWNS him wants him to vote. Hence, my reply about Charlie Wilson, because he's just as bought and paid for as Sherrod Brown.
    In the meantime Ohio will be stuck with trash who will never say what they mean and mean what they say, because they purposely talk in circles to deflect and defend.

    When will people start voting for citizens and stop voting for politicians? ::: sigh :::
  • I Wear Pants
    Where are the citizens on the ballot?
  • CenterBHSFan
    I Wear Pants;502333 wrote:Where are the citizens on the ballot?
    Exactly!
  • Bigred1995
    I Wear Pants;501621 wrote:I'm not encouraged by this response to my email.
    Well this was the response I got!!
    Thank you for sending me your comments. Listening to the views of the people I represent in the U.S. Senate is a critical part of my job. I do my best to provide every Ohioan with a prompt response. If you have an urgent matter, please feel free to call any of my offices in Ohio or Washington, DC.

    If you have not done so already, please visit my Senate website (http://brown.senate.gov) for comprehensive information about my work in the Senate, as well as constituent services that my office provides and how to get connected with federal programs.

    Or, you may be interested in receiving my e-Newsletters to stay connected with what's happening in Congress of importance to Ohio. Sign up for regular updates on the work I am doing in the Senate, and please select a few issues to get newsletter updates on specific topics as subjects arise. Sign-up here: http://brown.senate.gov/newsletter/landing
    It didn't even mention the Act!
  • I Wear Pants
    Finally some good news.

    http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/victory-internet-censorship-bill-delayed
    This morning's Politico brought with it great news for those who care about free speech and fair use online:

    A markup on SJC Chairman Leahy’s IP infringement bill was postponed late Wednesday, as staffers anticipated the chamber would finish legislative work and adjourn for recess before the hearing could commence. The change in plans should delight some of the bill’s critics, at least, who expressed concern that the legislation was moving forward quickly.

    Translation: The Senate Judiciary Committee won't be considering the dangerously flawed "Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act" (COICA) bill until after the midterm elections, at least.

    This is a real victory! The entertainment industry and their allies in Congress had hoped this bill would be quickly approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee with no debate before the Senators went home for the October recess.

    Massive thanks to all of you who used our Action Center to write to your Senators to oppose this bill. Thanks as well to the 87 Internet scientists and engineers whose open letter to Congress played a key role in today's success, and to all the other voices that helped sound the alarm.

    Make no mistake, though: this bill will be back soon enough, and Congress will again need to hear from concerned citizens like you. So stay tuned to EFF.org for any new developments.