Tech, Hollywood Battle Over Piracy Act

The Stop Online Piracy Act will undergo an overhaul in an attempt to address critics' concerns, as tech and entertainment industry clash over its implementation.

The Motion Picture Association of America is reportedly retooling the law, but isn't saying much about specific details.

Michael O'Leary, MPAA senior vice president, said the entertainment industry will address what he termed "legitimate concerns," though it didn't appear the agency and other participating groups would work directly with critics to make the changes.

SOPA and its companion bill in the Senate, the Protect IP Act, were touted as a means to protect copyright holders from online piracy of movies, television shows and music, which the entertainment industry claims is damaging revenues. But opposition from technology companies sparked public outcry against the bill, stalling the legislation.

Google joined other Internet giants in vocal opposition to SOPA, and Google chairman Eric Schmidt called the bill "draconian," joining other opponents who use words like "blacklisting" and "censorship" to describe it.

Many opponents questioned how the bill's authority to block certain Web addresses and prevent users from reaching them would be applied, fearing its passage could endanger the innovation that defines Internet businesses.

The tech titans were joined by a several lawmakers, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) Reportedly, Wyden and a bi-partisan group of senators and representatives are already working on an alternative bill.

During the debate over the original bill, Sen. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) offered a few ideas the lawmakers may consider. Issa suggested details from a congressional plan could include the creation of a complaint process for copyright infringement, similar to the International Trade Commission's patent investigation system.

A short version of the lawmakers' plan is expected to be issued so the public can provide feedback before it is formally introduced in the House and Senate.

All involved parties express the shared goals of decreasing piracy while addressing concerns over due process and censorship, but it will likely take more debate to determine an agreeable middle ground between the Internet and entertainment industries.

Tech, Hollywood Battle Over Piracy Act originally appeared at Mobiledia on Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:45 pm.

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