THE FREE online encyclopedia Wikipedia, blacked out yesterday and other internet players, including Google, put black bars on portions of their sites as a protest about pending US legislation against online piracy.
Internet companies are campaigning against bills designed to close access to overseas websites that traffic stolen content or counterfeit goods.
Their efforts seem to have gained traction. The White House over the weekend warned that overly broad legislation could harm free speech and yesterday house speaker John Boehner acknowledged there was a lack of consensus on the bills.
Several members of Congress said the legislation appeared to have stalled, with some reversing earlier support for the measures.
The legislation has been a major priority for entertainment companies and publishers, who say it is critical in curbing online piracy that costs them billions of dollars a year.
But internet players argue that the bills would undermine innovation and free speech and compromise the functioning of the internet.
The protest drew some criticism ahead of its launch. “This publicity stunt does a disservice to its users by promoting fear instead of facts,” said Republican Lamar Smith. Former senator Chris Dodd, who chairs the Motion Picture Association of America, called for supporters of the blackout to “stop the hyperbole and PR stunts and engage in meaningful efforts to combat piracy”.
– (Reuters)