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Wikipedia’s going to join the blackout that’s been proposed for Wednesday this week in the US, as a protest to its much complained about Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA). Unfortunately that means the rest of the world gets screwed-over too, in something that frankly doesn’t affect us Brits.
Now I’m not saying that if I were in the US I wouldn’t be whole-heartedly behind the SOPA protests — it really does seem like a crap policy. In fact, it seems as if Obama’s decided to shelve it over the amount of pressure it’s attracted, so that’s great for the US. But why do we in the UK have to suffer over an American squabble?
Where are we going to find out random facts for the day; define things with a link, or fill-in our coursework with a simple copy-and-paste from on Wednesday? If you’ve got a deadline coming up, maybe do it all today, OK? [Wikipedia via Reuters]
While a one day blackout of Wikipedia and other sites is inconvenient, the potential damage of Sopa and Pipa will be worse. We should stand 100% behind the protests as you know full well that our government will copy the US if this goes through.
I’d have to agree with you Darrell.
Also, when you think about it – Wikipedia is one of the few big websites where this is actually feasable for them to do, for one, it’s a not for profit organisation, meaning it doesn’t have any paying customers to screw over and secondly, it’s one of the most mirrored websites out there – with websites like answers-dot-come using a lot of their content.
See! I’m sure a few hours without Wikipedia won’t hurt
I’m 100% behind it too.
I am with Darrell too. If the US passes this it will only be a matter of months before we are stuck with it, even more damaging is that the internet is as good as it is because we have access to the rest of the world and damaging what is possibly the biggest contributor (USA) would be terrible for all of us.
Darrell is right. Besides, the US law already affects us British people, that guy who got shipped over to the US for maintaining a site that linked to copyrighted material for example. He broke no British laws.
Imagine what would happen if SOPA passed…
That guy broke no law, if he did Google should suffer the same consequences. It is stupid that he is being sued and it is even more stupid that he will be deported for it.
So you don’t think that it will set a disturbing precedent if it goes through in the US? Others will follow once someone starts the ball rolling. I’m all for it, even if it inconveniences a few GCSE students who can still use wikipedia as a reference source.
Good, it’ll be a sign to governments everywhere that they don’t control the internet…
But it can affect us, websites that sell internationally from this country can be blocked and that could hurt that business. I could explain in more detail but there are more articles that would say it better.
A quote from the Guardian Website:
“Art Bordsky, spokesman for Public Knowledge, a Washington-based public policy group, said Sopa was “the proverbial bull in the proverbial china shop” and that the bill as it stands would have “terrible consequences” for the internet.
“The international aspects alone are very worrying,” he said. “It appears that the US is taking control of the entire world. The definitions written in the bill are so broad that any US consumer who uses a website overseas immediately gives the US jurisdiction the power to potentially take action against it.”"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/nov/16/sopa-condemned-internet-blacklist-bill
Oh dear Sam, really!? There’s a few daft comments in there: “…in something that frankly doesn’t affect us Brits” and “But why do we in the UK have to suffer over an American squabble?”
I really think you need to take a step back, re-read a few articles and see the bigger picture…
With Americas lovely extradition treaty track record as well, it’s very worrying: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-16544335
(Nb, I was on the student’s side, until I read he profited from advertising on his website, that was just plain daft.)
Ohh Nooo… We will be forced to use those paper thingies for a few hours. What are they called again? Oh yeah, books.
How the hell did I make it to this ripe old age when for half of my life I was wikifree. Worthy protest, but it’s no the end of the plagiarism world.
“in something that frankly doesn’t affect us Brits.”
Why don’t you do some proper research about this? It affects the entire internet, not just the US. In fact, they amended it recently so that it “Only” affects international sites.
Sam,
It will affect anyone, anywhere in the world. Part of the law states that if a site is linking to copyrighted material, that site will be blocked. So if I go onto a UK based ecommerce site and leave a review on one of their products that includes a link to said material, their site would be blocked.
Same goes for blogs like this one, and any other site that anyone can leave a message on.
And if the US was to pass this, how long do you think it would be until our Government do.
True, I understand the implications for US traffic, and you’re totally write — there’s no guarantee we won’t follow the same path, especially given content holders are taking to suing governments for not acting appropriately/quick enough in their eyes.
If YouTube had been blocked in the USA, would it ever have got the point it is today? Or would we be worse off because of a us law?
The escapist also springs to mind as a website that may fall foul of sopa, not sure they would continue without their domestic market.
Doesn’t effect UK residents? Are you serious? SOPA gives the US government the right to tell websites that are hosting or providing links to ANY pirated US content to quit it or face the consequences.
SOPA is a global issue not only because of the powers it gives US corporations but the domino effect that will surely follow in other Western nations.
The Author truly shows his ignorance on the whole issue with this article. I suppose that’s what you get when you rely on Wikipedia for your sources.
Sam, really? For someone who writes for a site that is mostly to do with technology and happenings in the tech world, you’re being incredibly obtuse… Did you not at least do a little bit of research before writing this article?
This video sums up what SOPA and PIPA are about pretty well;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhwuXNv8fJM
I suspect that Sam may be only playing dumb. Having met and corresponded with him I can assure you he is anything but.
I really hope so Darrell, if this was indeed an intentional troll, it worked on me!
Honestly, I’m all for the SOPA/PIPA protests, it really is an awful piece of legislation. And yes, we’re not above following suit either, but it is possible to block out a country only, not induce a global blackout. I’m just saying that, as a Brit, I would have liked to have seen Wiki stay open to the rest of the world — just block America. It would have exactly the same affect on the US public opinion, although might be technically a lot more difficult to implement for Wikipedia (who knows how many actual staff they have for doing this kind of thing).
I think Giz US should join in the protests. A day without Diaz and Biddle would bring America to it’s kness
I can see where you’re coming from, but I also think that this is a good way to raise awareness of this bill in countries that wouldn’t normally care about it. Just today i’ve seen a story about the Wiki blackout on the front page on the Metro, on the BBC news site and on various other news and tech sites.
In that respect the blackout is doing exactly what it set out to do, which is raise awareness of what, it seems like, the American government have tryed to pass under the radar of the rest of the world.
I’m not sure on how it will affect the british mirrors of certain sites, but a lot of sites which I know at least I use, are based in America, e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Reddit etc etc. The Internet is global, and thats what makes it the Internet and if the bill passes in the states, there will be consequences for us and the rest of the world.
The decision was actually deliberately taken to block all English sites rather than just the US access:
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/English_Wikipedia_anti-SOPA_blackout
Sorry, I can’t help seeing somebody being called obtuse without thinking of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFHu7DCsEs&feature=related
On a related note, I think I just got GizUK blacklisted by SOPA…
I think if they did it that way, people would just use a VPN to get round it and nothing would be made of it. Also if the law goes ahead, I don;t think congress would only block the site in the US, but demand it be blocked globally.
I’d also bet that a LOT more people use Wikipedia daily than actually know about SOPA – so, if Wikipedia is taken down and a page is put in place explaining why, a lot more people would know about SOPA and I bet that’d kick up more of a fuss about it.
(I hate to use the phrase “raising awareness” but…)
SOPA and PIPA do affect us massively! The USA have already pressured Spain into signing a bill similar to SOPA. If these bills existed years ago you would not have Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia thats just to name a few. Remember the larger companies (Youtube, Facebook) are American! With this bill they are in violation and can be pull down without notice, although unlikely due to their size and power. But the next massive web giant maybe squashed before it gets off the ground. You think that Europe will not follow America? They created the web and all countries look to them for guidance on how to handle it, these bills are incredibly dangerous and have the ability to destroy the freedom of the internet for EVERYONE.
Protesting this is a must, if we fail to do so we may lose out on so much.
I am totally blown away by this article. Is the writer a tech professional or some dimwit with a laptop.
Seriously Gizmodo your Articles as of late have been poorly informed and awful.
If the Editor was to read this comment please slap some sense into your employees or at least hire someone who can do their job because this is crap.
Enough said.
Rolls Eyes… Is there a facebook page I can like or a twitter feed I can follow?
Take a chill Pill Aaron. Everything will be ok.
Well it isn’t a small issue is it?
Annoying professionals don’t do any research into these matters. It’s misleading and messes with peoples perception on what’s true.
The truth is the first thing that goes out of the window in any dispute/war.
Modern Humankind has survived for about 100’000 years without any of this. If people are good at anything… it’s creating new ways of doing things. Should it come to that.
Yes but should we have to work around this? The governments do not own the internet no one does. Yes there are ways to work around this such as some hackers setting up satellites to bypass this. But it’s not right we should not need to do this.
Thinking that SOPA doesn’t affect you just because you’re physically located in the UK is staggeringly naive at best, ignorant at worst.
IT’S THE INTERNET, STUPID.
I can’t speak for the rest of the contributing commenters, but, yes, I have been known to be naive and igmorant. Damn, you have the measure of me.
Every single student with a deadline on the 19th will cry when they realise this tomorrow!
I find it funny how you decry the US using the decidedly American word “crummy”
I think of “crummy” as a typically British word. It’s the kind of thing my folks would use at least.
Scottish in Origin, a quick search revealed. Great, I’m going to start using it in its original form… Crummie.
It’s only the English version of the site being shut down – use Google Translate to browse the spanish (or whatever) version of the site then translate. Works like a charm
If you use Chrome and have translate installed – even easier
MY GOD MAN, it gives US power to shutdown any site US or foreign (EG UK) website, simply for being under the suspicion of providing a means for copyright to potentially be infringed (EG a comment box that someone could link a youtube video in)(EG THIS SITE). You are further expected to monitor and moderate every submission, to prevent copyright infringement. Not only are they shutdown on suspicion alone, but google adsense are served a 5 day cease and desist, as are paypal and any other company providing service to the site (deemed an enemy of US intellectual property). Further if you contest, you are liable for all accusers legal costs if you lose; if you don’t contest, you can be found guilty of a lawsuit in absence, and the accuser is awarded your domain & damages.
And furthermore it is naive to assume that similar legislation would not follow on in the UK anyway. You are showing some serious naivety and lack of understanding of the full potential threat of SOPA. Before you start moaning you can’t do your homework, I’d go read up and realise virtually every blog, forum and content sharing site, (wikipedia, facebook, twitter, tumblr, blogspot, blogger, slashdot, reddit, 4chan, myspace, linkedin etc) would be directly under threat of closure worldwide, if an Attorney general was convinced that someone somewhere had posted a link to a lady gaga video that wasn’t the official VEVO one.
MY GOD MAN.
Yeah that sounds crazy…. IT IS!