Silicon Valley Congresswoman Leads Charge Against Internet Anti-Piracy Bill
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Opponents of anti-piracy legislation recently introduced on Capitol Hill are warning that the bill could be devastating to Internet innovation.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose is leading the charge against the new anti-piracy bill. The Stop Online Piracy Act would essentially hold a website responsible if somebody else posts pirated material on the site.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
"It's like saying the phone company is responsible for foul language if you call somebody on the phone," Lofgren reasoned.
The bill was jointly introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives late last month by 12 lawmakers, from both sides of the aisle.
Lofgren, thus far the most vocal critic, maintains that companies like Google would be forced to spend millions patrolling for copyrighted content.
"There is growing opposition but not enough yet. So I hope the people will speak up," she appealed to her constituents.
"Now that's not to say that Internet piracy isn't a problem," she added. "It is."
Supporters of the bill, along with a companion piece of legislation in the U.S. Senate, counter that content providers need stronger laws in order to shut down rogue websites posting pirated movies and music.
(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
