Blog
Have you heard of SOPA? It's one of the latest topics being discussed at the moment. SOPA is an acronym for Stop Online Piracy Act. Its primary purpose is to acknowledge and rectify an ongoing dilemma where foreign sites sell products that are pirated such as music, movies, etc. SOPA is designed to prevent companies in the United States from funding, advertising, or providing assistance to foreign sites. To implement this plan, internet providers are given the authority to restrict their users' access to these sites. The act also grants the U.S. attorney general to obtain a court order against these sites that will give them permission to delete the site, altogether.
The advantage of the Stop Online Piracy Act is that it allows copyright holders to file claims against foreign websites indiscriminately. Its focal point pertains to putting a halt to any financial losses, or potential losses. It is apparent that SOPA was not shaped to harm the users of the internet that use the web legally, but rather those sites who provide housing for stolen and pirated material; however, some may say that this act, if passed, may do more harm than good.
A major concern in regards to the possible implementation of this act is that some feel as though it may prevent U.S. sites from promoting new ideas and products. Another major concern is that there is a strong possibility that many popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, Google, etc, will be harshly affected. This is because they allow users to upload content to their sites as long as such content adheres to their terms and conditions. While SOPA is designed with good intentions, the problem that seems to exist is that many users may not be able to distinguish what is illegal and what is exactly appropriate. For example, there are tons of users that upload copyrighted content on a daily basis. It is quite often that we see users uploading videos of themselves to YouTube and Facebook to share with family and friends that may contain copyrighted material. This can include a user uploading a video of them singing a copyrighted song or sharing an image in which they may find interesting. If the Stop Online Piracy Act is passed, doing the previously mentioned will be illegal.
In response to this possible act, popular sites such as Wikipedia and Google, along with other sites, have protested against it by shutting down their domains, known as a “blackout”, to their every day users. This is in an attempt to raise awareness about an issue that can change the way we behave via the internet. Many have also set up petitions on their sites for users to sign. It has been recently reported that Google has collected over 7 million signatures from the U.S. alone, in regards to this petition.
So, what will it actually mean if SOPA is passed? There is a possibility that there may be less freedom for users of the Internet even though this act is purposely designed for protection of its users. At this point, the House of Congress has yet to pass the bill. Nevertheless, if the bill is passed, the final decision rests with President Obama.
This blog was written by Carla Buckner, Lint Center intern with information cutoff date of 20 January 2012.
Works Cited
Kain, E.D. (2012) No, President Obama Did Not Kill SOPA. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/18/no-president-obama-did-not-kill-sopa
Google. 2012. More About SOPA and PIPA. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/sopa-pipa
Business Insurance. 2012. Who SOPA and Protect IP hurts most. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsurance.org/who-sopa-and-protect-ip-hurts-the-most
Wikipedia. 2012. Stop Online Piracy Act. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act
Editorial Tidbit:
Internet capitalization conventionsare the practices of various publishers regarding the capitalization of "Internet" or "internet", when referring to the Internet/internet, as distinct from generic internets(or internetworks).
Since the widespread deployment of the Internet Protocol Suitein the early 1980s, the Internet standards-setting bodies and technical infrastructure organizations, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force(IETF), the Internet Society, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers(ICANN), the World Wide Web Consortium, and others, have consistently spelled the name of the world-wide network, the Internet, with an initial capital letterand treated it as a proper nounin the English language.[original research?]Before the transformation of the ARPANETinto the modern Internet, the term internet in its lower case spelling was a common short form of the term internetwork, and this spelling and use may still be found in discussions of networking.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_capitalization_conventionsRetrieved from Internet 21 January 2012.
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the Lint Center Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc. or any employee thereof. The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Lint Center Bloggers.
As we remember the awful moments and recall the unnerving images as well as the accompanying feelings, we grieve for the loss of our loved ones, the innocent victims, and our fellow Americans, who withstood the cowardly attacks.
While we give pause in realizing the solemnity of this anniversary, it is important to recognize what has emerged for this nation as a consequence. There was the impossible valor of New York’s Police Department, the unsurpassed courage of New York’s Fire Department and its Paramedics, and the unfaltering fortitude of New York’s Port Authority which, not knowing what lay ahead, rushed in to save the lives of those in greatest need. They would not be deterred.
Emergency responders, from New York to Shanksville to DC, and all across the country, had faith in the face of terror that something needed to be done. Those brave souls maintained the deepest of desires, resolving to know the moral difference between inaction and action, even if at the expense of their likely peril.
We know by the countless actions of responders and the innumerable selfless acts by ordinary citizens that there was no doubt and no question of a purposeful unity, as everyday individuals and citizens came together through heroic feats.
As we look back ten years ago, it should be impossible to forget that what bounded us then remains very much with us still today. We are indebted to the selfless sacrifice of friends, neighbors, and those bravest amongst us who leapt into action in hopes of saving others.
It is here and now, at this decade mark of remembrance, that the bond of yesterday stares us in the face again. It is the memory of that day and the examples borne in moments of unwarranted hardships, which provide us all the strength and a reservoir of true grit enabling a renewed sense of purpose, determination, and desire to ensure freedom prevails over the tyranny of terror.
The memory of those lost, the legacy of America’s resilience, and the heroism of many are carried by us today, united as one nation, one voice, and one undeterred people.
And to those who serve on the frontlines of the global war on terrorism, the intelligence professional, the national security worker and all members of the United States military, we thank you for your continued service and for keeping us safe.
In light of the recent Earthquake and the expected arrival of Hurricane Irene along the Eastern Seaboard in the coming days, the Lint Center wanted to provide some tips on emergency preparedness.
We came across the following information, which we felt would be useful:
A Preparedness Guide by FEMA, NOAA and the Red Cross
Los Angeles Times Article entitled “How to prepare for Hurricane Irene -- or an earthquake”:
Please take the necessary precautions and remain safe.
Yesterday we were pleased to celebrate another year at the Lint Center! We started 4 years ago on August 4 with a small band of volunteers and a mission to help emerging leaders. We are still going strong.
The Lint Center would like to thank its dedicated team of volunteers who make all of our work possible. Additionally, we wish to thank all of donors for their continued support.
The Lint Center would not be a reality had it not been for all of our friends, supporters and volunteers. Thank you, all – we feel a sense of deep pride for all we have accomplished together and a deeper sense of purpose for that what is to come.
We recently created our very own YouTube Channel. We posted one of our videos highlighting some of our previous winners.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
LC YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LintCenter1
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YxUG34t_Mk
