America’s contentious SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) bill has been shelved until “greater consensus” on its scope can be reached.
Congress’ indefinite postponement of SOPA comes hours after SOPA’s sponsor – Republican Lamar Smith – agreed to drop the controversial ‘internet blocking’ provision from the bill, and a day after the White House drew a line in the ground over its position on the bill. The White House argued that it ”would not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk or undermines the dynamic, innovative global internet”.
Which pretty much sums SOPA up in one sentence.
PIPA-d to the Post
The bad news is that whilst this battle may have been ‘won’ by the valiant voices of the internet the industry lobbyists ‘war’ on the issue is far from over. A remodelled version of the SOPA bill could yet be resurrected, although Washington analysts believe that this is unlikely to happen this year.
Following the victory over SOPA – which at one time looked almost certain to sail through congress – doubts have been cast over whether the associated ’PIPA (Protect IP Act)’ will manage to pass through vote.