More on SOPA: RIAA CEO Hopes SOPA Protests Were a 'One-Time Thing'

From an Internet Evolution story by Nicole Ferraro:

To some, January 18th -- the day the Internet came together in protest of SOPA and PIPA -- was seen as a day of important democratic action. To others, like the RIAA's CEO Cary Sherman, it was seen as a great failure of the democratic system. An act of "demagoguery" rather than "democracy."

I suggest clicking on the link above and reading the whole story.

For those not familiar with RIAA it is, in their own words:

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

Nerd News: Reddit "Free Internet Act"

See these links:

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/p1qmo/the_free_internet_act_a_bold_plan_to_save_the/

http://www.reddit.com/r/ACTA/comments/p0zn2/the_free_internet_act_a_bold_plan_to_save_the/

They were posted RoyalWithCheese22, this snippet from first link above clearly explains RoyalWithCheese22's thoughts:

I say its time to change tactics. The MPAA knows very well how to play the game when demanding legeslation: Aim ridiculously high, when opposition builds up, negotiate, sacrifice some of your over the top demands. Force your opponents to sacrifice some of theirs. Voila you didn't get exactly what you wanted but you moved in the desired direction.

Nerd News: 'Eye of Tiger' composer sues Gingrich to stop campaign use of iconic song!

Full story at Chicago Tribune here,

"The composer of the Survivor hit "Eye of the Tiger" has sued Newt Gingrich to stop the Republican presidential candidate from using the "Rocky III" anthem at campaign events."

I swear it is sooo hard to tell real news from The Onion some days. Not to mention this seems to tie in with SOPA & PIPA if only because of the election and politicians maybe listening to more of the electorate.

Nerd News: Megaupload users losing data?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16787486:

"US prosecutors have said that data belonging to Megaupload users and stored by third parties could be deleted as soon as Thursday."

I don't understand that, I am not a lawyer and can't give legal opinion, but I thought that would be evidence.  And destroying evidence in a trial (for a trial?) is a big no no, it is even a crime I though.

I will probably post a few updates to this.

Nerd News: SOPA & PIPA

Statement from Chairman Smith on Senate Delay of Vote on PROTECT IP Act Smith is the author of SOPA.

And a Tweet from the author of PIPA, SenatorReid:  "In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday's vote on the PROTECT IP Act #PIPA"

More on SOPA & PIPA being tabled at :

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16655272
   
2. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/internet-wins-sopa-and-pipa-both-shelved.ars

Nerd News: Some Results From SOPA & PIPA Blackout

We are seeing a response to the Blackouts against SOPA/PIPA.  One of the most interesting to me, is that "up to 18 Senators, of which seven are former co-sponsors" of PIPA have now said they are against PIPA (PIPA is the Senate sister bill to the SOPA bill in the House).

To get seven of the Co Sponsors in the Senate to change position is a pretty big deal IMO.

Another item to note, is Rep. Darrell Issa announced a different bill, called OPEN Act, as a compromise or alternative to SOPA.  More information at http://issa.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=949&Itemid=28&Itemid=4

From what I have seen online Rep. Issa supported the blackout, but I don't enough yet to know if OPEN would be a real improvement over SOPA.