The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) are two proposed draft laws that were being considered by the
United States Congress. Their stated goals are to increase the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in
copyrightedintellectual property and counterfeit goods, and give the U.S. government and copyright holders additional tools to curb access to "rogue websites dedicated to infringing or counterfeit goods", especially those registered outside the United States.[1]
Supporters of the laws argued that they are needed to protect the
intellectual property of owners of content. Opponents of the laws argued that they endanger
free speech and free expression by harmfully regulating the internet.
The
Protect IP Act (PIPA) was introduced by
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid planned to bring it to a vote on January 24. Reid rejected a request by six Senators for a postponement, saying "this is an issue that is too important to delay".[9]
As of January 17, 2012, PIPA was co-sponsored by:[10]
In December 2011, Representative
Ron Paul spoke out against SOPA, deriding it as a bill that would "take over the Internet".[12] Paul thus became the first major presidential candidate to publicly oppose the SOPA.[13]
Sen.
Ron Wyden was one of the opposition leaders against PIPA. On November 28, 2011, Wyden issued a
filibuster threat with Sen.
Jerry Moran if SOPA/PIPA made it to the floor.[37] A January 20, 2012, editorial in the
Daily Kos described Wyden as "The biggest SOPA/PIPA hero".[38] After Senator Wyden, Senator Moran was one of the first Senators to recognize the problems with PIPA and to take a stand against the bill[39] Massachusetts Senator
Scott Brown (R) also publicly voiced his opposition to the legislation as well as its sister bill in the House, SOPA.[40]
However, Senator
Ron Wyden (D-OR) placed a "
Senate hold" on the bill, postponing it from going to a full floor vote.[55]
U.S. Senate
On January 13, six Republican co-sponsors of the bill released a letter of concern, reading in part:
"We have increasingly heard from a large number of constituents and other stakeholders with vocal concerns about possible unintended consequences of the proposed legislation, including breaches in cybersecurity, damaging the integrity of the Internet, costly and burdensome litigation, and dilution of First Amendment rights."[56]
On January 17, Senator Ron Wyden announced his intention to filibuster PIPA if necessary.[36][57][58]
January 18 saw the
Internet Blackout protests in which websites coordinated to oppose SOPA/PIPA. In the wake of online protests, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the PIPA vote previously scheduled for January 24 would be postponed.[59][60]
SOPA in the House of Representatives
Representative
Lamar S. Smith introduced SOPA. Smith remarked of the bill:
"The Stop Online Piracy Act helps American innovators by protecting U.S. intellectual property from foreign criminals."[61]
Legislative timeline
May 12, 2011 – PIPA introduced to Senate
May 26, 2011 – Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously votes to report in favor of PIPA[9]
Oct 26, 2011 – SOPA introduced to House
Nov 16, 2011 – House Judiciary Committee hearing on SOPA
Dec 15, 2011 – House markup on SOPA
Jan 13, 2012 – Six PIPA Co-sponsors write letter of concern[62]
Jan 14, 2012 – White House issues formal response to SOPA/PIPA petition[63][64][65]
^Sen. Jerry Moran statement on SOPA/PIPA "Protect IP and SOPA both raise serious constitutional and security concerns and include provisions that effectively chill investment in innovation."