United States SOPA and PIPA Bills

[Majestic]

News updates:

[highlight]FileSonic disables sharing capabilities[/highlight]
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/filesonic-disables-sharing-capabilities-6293515.html

Filesharing website FileSonic has disabled its sharing capabilities in the wake of the enforced closure of MegaUpload.

FileSonic was one of the biggest sites of its type and, like MegaUpload, it allowed users to upload files that could then be downloaded by others.

But with MegaUpload owner Kim Dotcom having been arrested in New Zealand amid accusations the site was used for the distribution of pirated movies and other copyright-infringing content, the owners of FileSonic appear have taken steps to avoid a potentially similar fate.

Users who use FileSonic are now shown the message: "All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally.

"If this file belongs to you, please login to download it directly from your file manager."

The site's blog does not explain the action in greater detail. Last December, however, it said it was to check all uploaded files for copyrighted material and said it was keen to battle piracy.

It vowed to use Vobile, a content identification and management service, to scan all files included those that are compressed for copyright infringement.

Like MegaUpload, FileSonic is one of the world’s most popular file sharing sites.

Users can download and send attachments that are too large to send via email such as video, multiple photographs and music files.

Action against the site came in the same week that scores of major websites held a 24-hour protest against new anti-piracy laws making its way through the American legislature

ACTA protests erupt in Poland
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/poland-protests-erupt-over-acta-law-debate/2012/01/27/gIQAt6UOVQ_blog.html

By Melissa Bell

It’s not every day parliamentary members identify themselves with a subversive Internet group. But that’s just what happened in Poland when lawmakers from the leftist party Palikot’s Movement covered their faces with Guy Fawkes masks, the look that has become shorthand for Anonymous. A contentious fight broke out in parliament — and in the streets — over Poland's plans to sign the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

ACTA is meant to set international standards for violations of intellectual-property laws, but opponents fear it could lead to censorship online. The United States signed the agreement last year, along with Canada and South Korea. For the past week, the agreement has stirred a battle online after the European Union started to consider joining.

On Thursday, Poland and 21 other European Union members signed the treaty. The Internet group Anonymous attacked Polish government Web sites, protesters marched in the streets and lawmakers donned the masks.

There are similarities between ACTA and the recently tabled Stop Online Piracy Act that U.S. Internet companies protested two weeks ago with a blackout.

This isn't over and we aren't out of the woods, clearly seen by what is happening around the world atm.

 

[Atlantisbase]

Yeah, FileSonic and about a dozen others. You'll notice they're completely disrupting what legitimate users there might be.

As for ACTA, there was some stuff posted over on FO about that, and it looks even worse than SOPA/PIPA; one article suggested that generic drugs couldn't be sold any more because of patients. And what's worse, the bloody b******s signed us up behind closed doors. I never heard a peep about this until now. I'm starting to think our (U.S.) government is as corrupt as those we've been taking down. :x

 

[Majestic]

I'm starting to think our (U.S.) government is as corrupt as those we've been taking down. :x

Possibly worse, at least those other governments didn't hide behind closed doors, signing agreements that affect the entire world. Our leaders have failed us, simple as that, I no longer feel any loyalty even to my own, the Australia news network doesn't tell the full story, when the Megaupload incident happened they didn't say one word about the Bills the US Government was trying to pass, it was just making out that the Megaupload owners were the bad guys. This no doubt is by order by my own government. The Government here doesn't even protest these laws that will affect Australians and Australian bushiness, it makes the AU Government as bad as those trying to put these idiotic laws in.

 

[Atlantisbase]

Seconded.

Unfortunatly we can't seem to get rid of them. Over here it seems like the only people who make it to an election are those who are just like what already exists, even when it's a DIFFERENT PARTY!. We can't even vote them out!!! This was supposed to be a representative democracy, REPRESENTATIVE; as in you (the politicians) represent us, NOT yourselves.

P.S. Dear <insert favorite government> goons,
If you're reading this (and you probably are), stop sitting around all day trolling the internet for "evil doers" and start doing something about your own corrupt governments.

 

[Majestic]

Indeed, did you know our last PM (Kevin Rudd), one of the most popular in our history was given the boot by his own party because, yes you guessed it, he was serving the people. He was putting in a tax to the large greedy mining companies and was planning to give all the money generated from the tax to the low income people to improve their lives.

It's rather sickening really, someone doing the right job and his own party stab him in the back, and Julia Gillard's first act as PM (Prime Minister) is to put in a mining tax that is so low that what was the point. Us low income earner have seen no improvement whatsoever.

Rudd is the only Politician I can say that I respected and liked and felt he was the right man to lead this country.

 

[kjc733]

Not to be too lighthearted, but I thought that this fitted in quite nicely with the sentiments:

The CSIRO announced the discovery of a perverse, perplexing atom

The new element is Governmentium (Gv). It has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lefton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons or protons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction normally taking less than a second to take from four days to four years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 3-6 years. It does not decay but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons. All of the money is consumed in the exchange, and no other byproducts are produced.

Actually this includes one of my big gripes about our (UK) Government. When some MP screws the pooch big time, they are either fired or forced to resign - at least thats what all the announcements say. What this actually means is that they have been fired/resigned from their position, and they subsequently move to a different area and continue to screw us from a different direction. What I'd like to see is someone who is fired be kicked out lock stock and barrel. It might make them a little bit more cautious/sensible about what they do.

Mini rant over. (Hmmm, black cars pulling up outside...)

 

[Atlantisbase]

Being of the sciency variety, that's hysterical, yet so true. And even worse is when they create committees with three layers of subcommittees to "investigate" something, then come back with virtually nothing. Our governments really have ballooned out of control.

 

[Katala]

Looks like they are at it again! Go here

 

[Dan1025]

Just don't learn do they?

Signed the petition. Thanks for the heads-up Kat!

 

[CABAL]

I wonder how many of these need to be shot down before they get the message.

 

[Atlantisbase]

Too many I'm afraid. Event the name sounds bad. The acronym makes me think of "cesspool". What's worse, it looks like the punch line to this one is that it's not even the government that's going to be doing the spying, but private companies. And of course our government will conveniently benefit from this by buying the results off these companies. This is really low.

 

[Borg_Queen]

I signed as well.

 

[Styer_Crisis]

Man this stupid law just won't die!!!!!!!! how many petitions must we sign before my piece of junk goverment gets the stinkin idea??????? *really angry*

 

[thunderfoot]

Signed.

Would like to find an email list of US Congressmen and Senators who are affiliated with or are currently in support of this. Of course, this is all done in the interests of "national security' and "counterterrorism". I did not spend the time I did in uniform so some private corporation can spy on me and restrict my 1st Amendment rights or willfully ignore the US Gov't's limitations on unlawful search and seizure. But, as long as, "We, the People" keep ignoring the stupid c**p these a**holes are trying to pull by not voting their sorry butts out of office ASAP, we have only ourselves to blame. They only try to get away with the stuff we allow them to.

I've listened to a great many people express themselves about the people in office over the years. Both for and against. I usually ask at this point if they voted in the last election if they were eligible to do so. The answer is far too often, "No", for my own peace of mind. My response to this is usually, "If you did not participate, and you were able to, then your opinion is irrelevant and no one else needs to listen to it."

I strongly suspect the film and recording industries have once against lavished lots of presents on their pet Congressman or Senator. Only reason I can think this monster did not die the first time. MPAA and DRM lawyers actually wrote part of the last one. So maybe we are applying the pressure incorrectly here as well. I suggest we find out which film studios and recording companies are supporting this version and stop purchasing anything they are trying to sell. Along with anything their advertisers are as well. We also need to make sure they know why. In as messy and public a manner as possible. If they have no cash flow, they cannot lobby politicians. "Politician" has really become just a different way to spell, "crack addict".

For those of you who will say, "That never works", go ask BP just how much money they lost worldwide from the various "Don't buy BP stuff" websites. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. There might be one or two active BP gas stations left somewhere down here. Most of the rest are easy to spot. They have big 'Closed' signs on them.

 

[Majestic]

It was stated that the law was not cancelled just postponed. I am not surprised it's back on and in the public eye again. Honestly as long as the public is against it I can't see any idiot disguised as a politician (they're the same thing I think anyway) would seriously follow through with this as it would pretty much be the nail in his coffin for his political career. Doesn't mean they won't try, rename it and try and sneak it in. We must be on guard and not allow them to remove another of our rights of freedom that our forefathers fought so part to protect.

 

[Terra_Inc]

It seems that the government of the States is finally willing to sell the rights they were founded on. For money. In other countries, this would be called corruption.
Right here in Germany, the Federal President was recently deposed (or rather, forced to step down) because he had accepted 'presents' from businessmen, and had threatened the media trying to prevent them from publishing articles about it. There was no real trace of corruption, no obvious influence on his political decisions. The mere fact that he had accepted such 'presents' was enough, and his horrible handling of the scandal only reinforced his public image as a corrupt politician.
Can you imagine that happening in the States? Where company influence on politicians is not just legal, but encouraged (see Election fundraising)?

 

[thunderfoot]

Suppressed

I believe in the right to free speech. It is the most powerful weapon ever created against tyranny and oppression. I have in the past placed myself in harm's way to defend it. Mattered not at all I wasn't directly defending me or mine. I would cheerfully and without hesitation take up arms to defend free speech again. Some things really are worth dying for. But like all great freedoms, it comes with a price. This price is personal accountability and responsibility. It is actually a small price in comparison but it must be paid in full and prior to exercising free speech. Mind, I am every bit as angry as you are, probably moreso. But please in the future read what you've written before you post. I value you as a friend and fellow member of MSFC too much to allow otherwise.

 

[USS_Excalibur]

I believe in the right to free speech. It is the most powerful weapon ever created against tyranny and oppression. I have in the past placed myself in harm's way to defend it. Mattered not at all I wasn't directly defending me or mine. I would cheerfully and without hesitation take up arms to defend free speech again. Some things really are worth dying for. But like all great freedoms, it comes with a price. This price is personal accountability and responsibility. It is actually a small price in comparison but it must be paid in full and prior to exercising free speech. Mind, I am every bit as angry as you are, probably moreso. But please in the future read what you've written before you post. I value you as a friend and fellow member of MSFC too much to allow otherwise.

I understand... and I have been counciled fully on this..... I got to lay off the caffine before posting. Apparently I have some negative side effects of overstating my opinion.


Well, to say the least, I signed the petition, shared on fb. And I am basically waiting to see what happens.

 

[Syf]

I have spoken with USS_Excalibur about his post. I believe we all agree here that we must fight back. But curtain things must be guarded against, even in the rants. So carry on, just guard against saying or suggesting anything immoral, uncivil, or illegal.