Forget SOPA and PIPA, say hello to ACTA

This is so sad

Honestly I fail to even see the real motive behind all of this like what are you trying to prove? What you say we live in a "Freed Country" right, but yet you are now doing everything in your power to make it like a communists nation. To censor what we say so there won't be a point in talking. Like if they wanna take over the people of this world they have to take way the voice of the people. In doing this then they won't be able to communicate unless they are taught to do so.

I mean if they wanted so badly to have all this gadgets to have internet capabilities so they can connect on the run then what was the point in wasting all of that money just to censor it all. You make so much sense no wonder why I somehow put my confidence in someone who isn't even capable in running their own life. So why the hell would you think you can control mine?

Its gets even better because these are the same people someone has grown with and once that power gets to their head they aren't the same. I mean we choose these people to run us right?(Right in both ways as in agreement, and the proper way right damn I'm so nice with it ^.^) Knowing that they weren't coming through why wouldn't us as people let them go? Is it because we don't want to believe it, give them an excuse oh they just started just give them some time. What is it please enlighten me I wanna know because if you don't like something you change it right?(Same thing again wow I'm cra.)

And since we waited so long look what has happened so good job team you really did it this time ~,^

 

Just another example of our corporate controlled government. I admit it, online piracy is a problem, but I think that if companies like the RIAA and the MPAA were to adapt to the changing market, people wouldn't pirate so much. Unfortunately it's just not feasible for some people, especially during this recession, to pay $15 every time their favorite band releases a new album or what have you. Music, movies, I don't care what it is--it's meant to be shared. Dozens of artists these past few years have offered their albums or songs off of their website for free, telling listeners that they can donate if they would like to. And it's worked. I haven't heard otherwise, but the fact that quite a few artists seem to do it these days tells me it does. And you know where that money goes? Right to the artist. Not to some enormous media conglomerate, who take a huge chunk of it and leave the artists, especially the lesser known ones, with very little.

The reason to sign to a record label is superior resources, connections, and publicity. The latter two have been made easier with the advent of the internet--unsigned artists are no longer trapped in their parent's garage. They can email bookers, spread the word online, etc. Record labels are just trying to remain relevant.

The mere fact that ACTA was created and designed in secret makes me speculate that perhaps PIPA and SOPA were composed as a distraction--get internet users to focus on taking them down so that they can continue undisturbed with ACTA.

Should ACTA be passed, they'll desecrate one of the most glorious inventions mankind has ever achieved. It's one of brotherhood (not gender specific obviously :v). People feel connected on the internet, like they're a part of something bigger and greater than themselves. In some more extreme cases, people no longer feel alone. It's freedom. That's worth more than any lump sum that media companies are losing. Look at what the internet has achieved--mini-organizations, almost like their own countries. And it's not some lawless society. Some of the far reaches are, yes, but most sites have a strict set of rules and terms of service that are maintained, and most sites do so fairly and justly, I believe. If simple people can form institutions like that, why are our elected officials so incapable?

Money. Take KHV for example--it's maintained by the staff, which is a team of volunteers. We don't get paid for our work on here. More than one of us have actually put money into the site, if I recall correctly. There is no monetary incentive for us. Money, however, conquers in the political system. It controls all. ACTA is the extreme boiling over of this, I believe. And it must be stopped.

Moreover, the conspiring against cheap, generic drugs is honestly class warfare at this point--let the poor die out, all to support this sick only the strong survive mentality. It's one of the same factors that keeps us from having universal, or at least affordable, health care in the United States and across the globe. I'm not shocked Obama would agree to ACTA tbh, apparently he gets quite a bit from pharmaceutical corporations. The entire premise of having to pay for your wellbeing--especially when getting sick is often outside of your control--is truly disgusting to me. It's like a tax on being alive, except that that tax is going to pay some CEO.

Censorship is the most undemocratic and restrictive practice. It's just... I can't even understand why anyone would propose it as a good thing. I can't believe the US would knowingly agree to it.

The EU still has not agreed, has it?

 

To be honest, even if people are exaggerating it, it is still of a very high concern to all of us. Like Misty said, many people have found friends and others who they could not find in their everyday life. The Internet is more or less a second home for them -- and most of us here as well, in a sense.

Even if some may blow it out of proportion, SOPA, PIPA and now ACTA pose a threat to that home for people. Not to mention poses a threat to the lesser known artists who gain their recognition THROUGH the quick spreading Internet culture.

I guess what I'm saying is, exaggerated or not, it's still a threat to the culture of the Internet, something which we, and many, many more people have adopted and feel safe with.

 

Believe me, I never said it wasn't serious, I'm just saying that things similar to this have been exaggerated before and can still be.

 

And they are justifiably exaggerated. If you exaggerate something it will get known faster which is this case is highly needed.

 

This. The problem with SOPA and PIPA is that they were titled as if they were bills that would just stop piracy. Not many people would disagree with that--it's the vague wording that it outlined that made it such an issue. People need to be informed, which unfortunately, not enough will do if you don't shove it in their face.

 

Wait... what the hell?

What happened to freedom of speech here, America? What happened to freedom in general?
Will censoring something really solve a problem? It'll make things worse. Just imagine if they censored something as huge as Facebook or YouTube, people would be furious. Yeah, yeah, there's quite a few videos and channels on YouTube that doesn't use stuff they own, but they're not exactly claiming they own it, and they're not distributing it for free (minus the 'free HD movies, link in description' videos, along with music and games).

I don't feel so free anymore, despite being in a free country. That's really sad.

 

We will soon be another China if this keeps up, I thought to myself. Somehow I find it all very amusing.

And if I read correctly... good god, they have. Along with New Zealand, Morocco, Switzerland, off the top of my head. Check the site and verify, I might remember incorrectly.

Wiki:
Signatories United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea
negotiating parties Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States

 

It is rather hard to take this seriously when multiple nations are signing such an agreement. How exactly is there an exaggeration?

This reminds me of all prohibitions. Once upon a time, only one state outlawed cannabis. It spread, and the states that clung to keeping it free were blacklisted and their budgets were cut until they agreed to instate it. This happens with any major change. Even if one of these nations takes a stand, they will be blacklisted by the rest until they give in.

This is a bit old (from the 5th), but I find it relevant...

http://torrentfreak.com/us-threaten...or-not-implementing-site-blocking-law-120105/

They are protecting their positions and investments. Particularly with the state of currency both in the U.S. and Europe, you can expect them to do almost anything to save their assets. There is not much else to wonder at.

"What happens when the cows start charging the fence? You electrify the fence. Of course. It is your only option. What are you going to do, become productive yourselves? No, of course of not."

 

I found this interesting:

Source

The article is a bit outdated (from October of 2011, so two and a half months), but it gives me a bit of hope--if Congress does indeed vote on ACTA, protests similar to what we saw with PIPA and SOPA could work. I wasn't able to find any further & more recent information on this, I will keep looking.

 

Just what I needed.

A spark of hope.

We beat back SOPA and PIPA, ACTA shall follow.

For now there's nothing we can do except wait.

 

Or worse...can you imagine the outcry if youtube actually went down anywhere, especially in the USA. I guarantee you there will be mass riots, that coupled with the fact that its looking like Mediafire might go down. Not a pretty picture.

 

YouTube is not likely to go down before the internet itself. They will just censor videos more heavily. That is all.

 

No, I will not sit Idly by; while the greatest network is taken from our hands!
We must end this madness of corporate greed! This isn't just about the USA, or Europe anymore. It's about all of us. If we don't act now the internet will be a shell of it's former self.Videos will be take down, Google results censored, independent websites decimated, and our free speech will evaporate! We must spread the resistance of ACTA now, and not just online, but at our jobs, at school, at the market, and in the streets!