Intellectual Property Law

Victory: Internet Censorship Bill is Delayed, For Now

By tim

This morning's Politico brought with it great news for those who care about free speech and fair use online:

A markup on SJC Chairman Leahy?s IP infringement bill was postponed late Wednesday, as staffers anticipated the chamber would finish legislative work and adjourn for recess before the hearing could commence. The change in plans should delight some of the bill?s critics, at least, who expressed concern that the legislation was moving forward quickly.

Translation: The Senate Judiciary Committee won't be considering the dangerously flawed "Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act" (COICA) bill until after the midterm elections, at least.

This is a real victory! The entertainment industry and their allies in Congress had hoped this bill would be quickly approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee with no debate before the Senators went home for the October recess.

Massive thanks to all of you who used our Action Center to write to your Senators to oppose this bill. Thanks as well to the 87 Internet scientists and engineers whose open letter to Congress played a key role in today's success, and to all the other voices that helped sound the alarm.

Make no mistake, though: this bill will be back soon enough, and Congress will again need to hear from concerned citizens like you. So stay tuned to EFF.org for any new developments.

Full post as published by Electronic Freedom Foundation - Deep Links on September 30, 2010 (boomark / email).