SOPA & PIPA: Could You Live Without the Internet?
Want to know what our world would be like without internet? How about a world without free knowledge at your fingertips? Take a look and search your internet browser now and you’ll get an idea of what that reality might feel like.
Today some of the world’s most popular websites, including Wikipedia, Reddit, Google, and WordPress, “went dark” to protest the legislation of the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) & PIPA (PROTECT IP Act).
The intent of these rules is to prevent piracy of American music, movies and other intellectual property by computer users in the US and abroad. However, many large and reputable Internet companies fear that the proposed law creates a powerful censorship tool that could threaten American’s freedom of speech and stifle competition, killing the economic engine that fuels the Internet.
The future of the legislation is uncertain, with many congressmen switching their positions. President Obama has even threatened to veto the bill. It would be a good idea to take five minutes today and learn about what you can do to make your voice heard.
Even a politically charged event like the Blackout Protest has a business lesson that we can all learn from. Always remember: Communication is key to your leadership approach. Many of the companies participating in today’s events agree that the government must do more to curb copyright infringement. But the companies and the government are not on the same page, and it is unlikely that Congress’ strategy is even enforceable without the help of these industry leaders. Remember: there is no hope for success if you are not talking to your team members about defining and achieving your goals.
What’s your opinion on these pieces of legislation? What about the Blackout Protests? Please leave comments below and share this with your friends.
