The Internet Goes Dark for a Day
By Jeff Will
Normally we avoid politics at SBS Studios, preferring to keep our personal opinions separate from the work we do. Today we’re breaking that rule to talk about legislation that has the potential to fundamentally break the internet we all know and love–yes that even includes Tumblr. You may have caught a tweet or a Facebook status about these destructive pieces of legislation, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), or the Senate version PIPA (Protect IP Act). Hopefully that was enough to compel you to educate yourself and take action. If you’re still unsure as to what these bills propose or why we of the internet community view them as so destructive, don’t worry, you’re certainly not alone. As long as you have four minutes to spare, this video from Fight for the Future will explain everything.
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.
As a digital agency, the rapid pace at which the internet moves and evolves is at the core of everything we do. SOPA and PIPA could dramatically impact that pace in several ways. These bills have the potential to stifle the creativity of user-generated content as every video, music or blogging network has to actively filter content or face countless lawsuits from copyright owners. Under the threat of lawsuits, few sites around are going to worry about the provisions of copyright law that allow for parody or fair use. The instant nature of social media may slow to a virtual crawl under SOPA and PIPA as networks are forced to heavily filter status updates, tweets and media uploads. Perhaps most damaging are the immeasurable impacts on the continuing evolution of the web. Will the next Twitter or Tumblr be able to make it in a post-SOPA United States?
As one person, you may not think your voice matters, but we’re here to tell you you’re not alone and together we can save the internet, and yes, that includes Tumblr. Today some of the largest sites on the web have gone dark to raise awareness and stop SOPA and PIPA. Today is the perfect day to speak up and be part of the largest online protest in history. Make your voice heard now: http://sopastrike.com/