Old MediaOld Media

SmackdownSmackdown New MediaNew Media

In this corner:In this corner:Old MediaOld Media

Rupert Murdoch

And in this corner:And in this corner:New MediaNew Media

SOPA (Stop Online Pirating SOPA (Stop Online Pirating

Act)Act)

PIPA (Protect IP Act)PIPA (Protect IP Act)

Is File Sharing Is File Sharing Illegal?Illegal?No, it's 100% legal. In no state in the United States is file sharing illegal.

However, here’s the rub, if you're sharing content that is protected by copyrights to other users it is illegal. Below are some good examples of where file sharing becomes illegal.

•Downloading or sharing a copyrighted movie.•Sharing copyrighted songs (music) to other people who have not purchased those songs or downloading songs from other people when you've not purchased that song.•Sharing or downloading computer software (programs, games, etc.).•Downloading or sharing a copyrighted TV show or program.

But does SOPA and PIPA invite But does SOPA and PIPA invite

censorship?censorship?

PRO: Proponents of the bill say it protects the intellectual property market and corresponding industry, jobs and revenue, and is necessary to bolster enforcement of copyright laws, especially against foreign websites. Claiming flaws in present laws that do not cover foreign owned and operated sites, and citing examples of "active promotion of rogue websites" by U.S. search engines, proponents say stronger enforcement tools are needed.CON: Opponents say the proposed legislation threatens free speech and innovation, and enables law enforcement to block access to entire internet domains due to infringing material posted on a single blog or webpage. They have raised concerns that SOPA would bypass the "safe harbor" protections from liability presently afforded to Internet sites by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Library associations have expressed concerns that the bill's emphasis on stronger copyright enforcement would expose libraries to prosecution. Other opponents state that requiring search engines to delete a domain name could begin a worldwide arms race of unprecedented censorship of the Web and violates the First Amendment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tzqMoOk9NWc

OMG!!! Round

2!