SOPA vs. Wikipedia & Internet: As with gun-controllers, holding

[SteveW]

Last edited Thu Jan 19, 2012, 03:52 PM - Edit history (2)

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111208/14521817014/mpaa-boss-if-chinese-censor-internet-without-problem-why-cant-us.shtml

The current debate over SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) has brought Chris Dodd, head of MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) under scrutiny, with Tech Dirt's Mike Masnic implying Dodd thinks the Chinese did the right thing regarding Google:

MPPA's Dodd:

"When the Chinese told Google that they had to block sites or they couldn't do [business] in their country, they managed to figure out how to block sites."

SOPA would allegedly give authority to the U.S. government to block sites which carry "pirated" material. Masnic slams MPPA's Dodd for using a remedy often advanced by gun-controllers in this forum: Legal action against the company making the "accessory."

MPAA's Dodd:

"How do you justify a search engine providing for someone to go and steal something?" he asked rhetorically in a recent interview at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers conference. "A guy that drives the getaway car didn't rob the bank necessarily, but they got you to the bank and they got you out of it, so they are accessories in my view."

Tech Dirt's Masnic:

"But that completely misunderstands and misrepresents the situation. Google isn't the driver. Google is the car manufacturer. Do we sue Ford as an accessory?"

Indeed, some gun-controllers "misunderstand and misrepresent the situation." They have sought to sue firearms manufacturers as an accessory, even though the "misdeed" is committed by an individual who has misused that "accessory." This is what prompted laws to prevent suits against gun manufacturers in the case of criminal miss-use, measures internet companies have yet to consider.

[2ndAmForComputers]

1. Take a look at my sig line link.

I happen to believe it's more than a comic strip joke.

[SteveW]

4. I do. For nearly 5 years. I'm "SteveM" from another parallel universe!

I have tried to get my stuff back to SteveM, or to edit my SteveW to reflect my past history as SteveM. Unsuccessful.

"...He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who never returned!"

[Glassunion]

3. Bad analogy.

Google is not the driver. Nor is Google the car.

Google is the GPS on the dash, the map in the glove box and the street signs telling you how to get to the highway.