SOPA

French president’s proposal threatens Internet freedom

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is proposing that anyone regularly visiting websites supporting terrorism or advocating hate or violence will be arrested. First Amendment Center President Ken Paulson notes that allowing despicable viewpoints is basic to American democracy and that the proposed French law on hate websites would not survive in U.S. federal courts. -db From a commentary for the First Amendment Center, March 22, 2012, by Ken Paulson. Full story  

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Senate majority leader stalls Internet piracy legislation

In a victory for the technology industry, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid postponed a vote on the Protect IP Act, the online piracy bill before the Senate. In effect, Congress is going back to the drawing board to balance intellectual property rights with openness and innovation on the Internet. -db From Wired, January 20, 2012, by David Kravets. Full story  

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Balance sought in fight over bills to stop Internet piracy

With copyright protection established in the U.S. Constitution and free speech in the Bill of Rights, it is vital to honor each in the fight over the new online piracy bills currently before Congress says Ken Paulson of the First Amendment Center. It will be a difficult task to craft a law that intercepts pirated content headed for the U.S. while protecting the free flow of ideas. -db From the First Amendment Center, January 13,

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Online piracy legislation stalls in Congress

It now appears now that Congressional bills to protect copyright on the Internet will be embroiled in a long, intense struggle even as President Barack Obama declared his opposition to key elements of the bills. The technology industry opposes the bills out of concern that they will stifle free speech and innovation. -db From The New York Times, January 15, 2012, by Jenna Wortham and Somini Sengupta with contribution from Nick Bilton. Full story  

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