In a clear sign that the entertainment industry is worried the growing online revolt over Protect IP could defeat the bill, their lobbyists are now offering
to change it:
Look for changes in the proposed antipiracy legislation that has giants in the entertainment and technology industries squared off against each other, but nothing extensive enough to please all of the legislation’s opponents. That was the message from Michael O’Leary, the senior executive vice president for global policy and external affairs of the Motion Picture Association of America, during a telephone news briefing on Wednesday.
“We will come forward with language that will address some of the legitimate concerns” of technology companies that have opposed the Stop Online Piracy Act in the House, and a similar Protect I.P. Act in the Senate, Mr. O’Leary said.
He said those who were pushing the far-reaching antipiracy legislation have been huddling with Congressional staff members from both parties and both the House and Senate in the last few days, in an effort to answer some objections raised by Google, Yahoo and others who say the bills reach too far.
These changes almost certainly won't be enough to allay our concerns about the bill, which could destroy the social web and Daily Kos along with it. As such, rather than just tinkering with it right now, Protect IP should be redone from scratch next year.
Still, when your opponents offer to change a bill in order to meet some of your concerns, then you know momentum in on your side. The over 27,500 emails Daily Kos members have sent to their senators are working.
Please, contact your senators and tell them to oppose the Protect IP Act.