Anomynous close US Government site, Megaupload closed. SOPA

[Cinesra]

Like Zenith, I wasn't putting words in your mouth either, just taking what you said literally, and am glad you're not one of those people who thinks that if something is wrong it must be X group, in this case socialists.
From what you said, it sounded like you were blaming SOPA on socialists, and they had an agenda of turning the USA into North Korea, when a socialist evil master plan and SOPA are completely unrelated.

 

[Teal]

Non Sequitor, nobody put words into your mouth. Don't whine over something amazingly stupid you said, stand behind it like a man, and defend your childish viewpoint until the very end.

Mh, joke. Anyway. Companies like Nike, Adidas and bakeries support SOPA? Can somebody explain? Did some other companies buy their support since I see no reason why for example Nike would be for SOPA (all they are doing is angrying their customers). It's not like anyone illegally downloads shoes, clothes and bread.

 

[Medel17]

SOPA called of temporarily? Rumour or not? Theres still PIPA.

 

[Archeops]

Well, I think these bills are to much, but we do need something.

Earlier this month my moms book was stolen, but since the people that stole it are in china they don't follow our laws, and our family has been robbed of like 300,000 dollars.

 

[Cinesra]

I think something's wrong with your wording because it sounds to me like somebody came all the way from China and stole a $300,000 book from your mom.

 

[neophenx]

What I really can't stand is all the hype over Megaupload, a site that provided similar services as Limewire and Kazaa did back in the day, and are acting like it was a martyr against SOPA. Megaupload, like Limewire, was teeming with illegal content that actually does create losses for copyright holders. SOPA and PIPA on the other hand held the potential to take down websites that carry ANY copyrighted material, regardless of the intention of it. For example, SOPA and PIPA would tear down your beloved Pokebeach, which posts news and card scans for the competitive community. They would tear down Serebii, Smogon and Bulbapedia for all the in-depth information on the games and shows that the competitive community uses to congregate and strategize with. Say goodbye to Bebesearch.com and PlayTCG.me, since they are used by the competitive community for practice with a full working digital version of the current format. Say goodbye to Facebook, where we connect with fellow fans, as well as family and friends. This is the difference between Megaupload's downfall and SOPA. SOPA tears down all fan-based communities of the internet that probably in all actuality PROMOTE the sales of the copyrighted content (in this case, Pokemon TCG and Video Games). Megaupload was used widely to distribute stolen/ripped/bootleg copies of media. In short, Megaupload is not a martyr against SOPA, but another criminal source like Limewire once was.

 

[Card Slinger J]

SOPA called of temporarily? Rumour or not? Theres still PIPA.

Did you read the article, it said SOPA is being pulled until there is a "wider agreement on a solution". So this means there won't be a Senate Hearing on SOPA next Tuesday until there's an agreement that benefits the people who are for SOPA and against SOPA. That is going to be an extremely hard bridge to cross for both sides IMO.

PIPA was already put on hold so the U.S. Government might try to reintroduce the bill through Congress even though it passed through the House before it reached the Senate floor. I understand the positions of what both sides are getting at believe it or not. One side believes Internet Piracy is hurting the U.S. Economy, while the other
believes it gives the U.S. Government too much control over countless sites. Both of which are true.

I personally believe that we need a branch in the U.S. Government whose job is to defend the Internet and Cybersecurity, that actually fights for the 99% of America instead of the 1% that is trying to destroy our country. Cyberwarfare is already happening folks, heck even the Mexican Drug Cartels are hacking into our systems and such possibly other enemy countries like Iran, China, and Venezuela as well just to name a few. Anonymous on the other hand is being too vigilante and seems to be a promoter of cyber terrorism no matter what they do.

If SOPA doesn't pass including PIPA, there is still the OPEN Act and the Commercial Felony Streaming Act which has yet to reach both houses of Congress. Now the Commercial Felony Streaming Act is that bill you've heard about that would put Justin Bieber in jail for streaming music online and such. Then there is OPEN which is a watered down version of SOPA/PIPA but not nearly as draconian as SOPA/PIPA are. So yeah we still got to deal with Round 2 before this mess boils over from what it looks like...

SOPA tears down all fan-based communities of the internet that probably in all actuality PROMOTE the sales of the copyrighted content (in this case, Pokemon TCG and Video Games).

This is one reason why SOPA/PIPA is so dangerous, it would destroy sites like here on PokeBeach, Serebii.net, and much more but most of all it would destroy the Pokemon franchise as a whole and we cannot allow that to happen, it's like as If the U.S. Government is working with Team Rocket or something and they are trying to steal all our Pokemanz!!! o_0

I understand that Internet Piracy has caused companies and such to lose jobs and not make enough money to stimulate the economy, but it's another thing to go out and attack fan-based communities on the Internet just to satisfy political greed and desires. Like Mark Zuckerberg once said before, we need to let politicians know that the Internet is supposed to be for EVERYONE not the people who represent the 1% in this country, the people who are above the Middle Class who are filthly rich.

Yeah that's right I'm looking at you Mitt Romney or should I say Gordon Gekko...

 

[zoradude]

Meh, to much stuff to respond to. Basically, my point is, these laws take away our freedoms. Whether some people in government intend it to or not; some do.

And whoever called me a conspiracy theorist, come on. Seriously? I'm not some cook who believes the Illuminati are time travelers, or everyone we elect for any office is a socialist. I know what I'm talking about. And there is proof out there of people in our government-Nancy Pelosi, etc.-admitting they're a socialist in some way or another. And socialism is evil. That's all I got to say on the matter.

---

*Kook, not cook.

 

[zoradude]

*I think the example I was thinking of was Boxer, not Pelosi. (if I spelled Pelosi right...)

 

[Juliacoolo]

When 99% of individuals are against a bill, yet there are still legitimate circumstances for the bill to pass, there is something obviously wrong with the government.

AKA Lobbyists.

 

[Vulpix-core]

By shutting down sites like the Cheezburger Network, Equestria Daily, (maybe even DeviantART, who knows!) and possibly online toy-selling sites like Toywiz, they're eliminating tons of jobs. Plus the fact that job ads are all over the internet (you kinda gotta look for them). I believe that by shutting down big sites like that is giving a lot of Americans nothing to do, and out of work. The Internet always has some job for you. Paid or unpaid.
I also believe that the suicide rate will go up. I don't know how much, but quit a bit more than now.
I hope we all know how much some people rely on things like Equestria Daily, DeviantART, even our own Pokebeach and Serebii.
Believe it or not, peoples LIVES and pride and joy is things like those sites. And so many teenagers would go out and be doing drugs and possibly killing themselves if they didn't have fandoms like MLP, Pokemon, furry-ness. Without these fandoms, kids are going to do more stupid things. These fandoms and internet sites are some people's last and only refuge from things that go on at school or home. It's the only thing that keeps (some, not all) from going off the edge. This is their home, where they can tell jokes and be with their friends. It's one of the greatest things in the world, these fandoms brought all of us together, and all of those kids together. (i'm just talking about the honest to goodness not-stalkers that dont hang around fandom sites...ew i mean REAL people who are in the same situation) It'd be heartless to take that away from them.
It'd be heartless to fence in fanart, fan sites and everything else.

 

[Boddy]

For starters, I'm not pro-SOPA, but I do see the pros in their arguments, so for the sake of discussion, I'm gonna take this stance. I feel that this will help the community make a better stand on where their views are.

By shutting down sites like the Cheezburger Network, Equestria Daily, (maybe even DeviantART, who knows!) and possibly online toy-selling sites like Toywiz, they're eliminating tons of jobs.

You also would have to consider the jobs that would be created by SOPA. Think of all the security people who would have to be in charge of monitoring the internet. Also, the actual money that is being returned to the entertainment industry would be used to fund other projects, thus creating new jobs. See how the cycle works?

Believe it or not, peoples LIVES and pride and joy is things like those sites. And so many teenagers would go out and be doing drugs and possibly killing themselves if they didn't have fandoms like MLP, Pokemon, furry-ness. Without these fandoms, kids are going to do more stupid things.

Just a few things. First off, if the internet takes up so much of your life that you would have to kill yourself, I'm sorry, but you need help because that is extremely unhealthy. The distinction between fantasy and real life should not be so thin. Secondly, people already do stupid things. Youtube thrives off of people doing stupid things. It's already gotten to the point where people do stupid things just to get on Youtube. If it gets passed, Youtube would be gone, and people would likely be less inclined to record themselves doing these stupid things. Pretty soon, the stupid things will dwindle. Thirdly, the way you explain the internet in your post makes it sound like a drug. Dependency on the internet should not be so grave, and it kind of pains me to see that it has come to that.

instead of the 1% that is trying to destroy our country

I'm pretty sure that's not their intention. If they wanted to destroy our country, they would have done so already.

it would destroy the Pokemon franchise as a whole

The Pokemon franchise will not be destroyed by SOPA. I guarantee it. They sell games that they make to the public. End of story. They're not publishing pirated content. Therefore, I fail to see how it will die. In fact, it would probably flourish slightly. Less online information will lead to people going out and buying those paperback guides. Or you know, you could just play through the game the old fashion way without any information whatsoever.

Let me give you an example. Remember that whole debacle between the online community and Nintendo when Black and White came out? The information you had was very limited. Can you honestly tell me that if you knew nothing about it, you wouldn't have bought it?

 

[Guts]

I don't have much to say, because most of it has already been said. However, I would like to thank Boddy, Zenith, and Cinesra for bringing some common sense to this thread. Instead of complaining about our "socialist" government and continuously ripping on representatives, this is an issue that you can actually help affect the outcome.

 

[Matryoshka]

@Boddy: I don't think AnimeUSA is talking about killing herself, she means other people. People who don't do much outside internet stuff. What she's saying is somewhat true. If people are socializing through the internet boards and whatnot, then how do they socialize? I mean, sure, you could hang out with friends, but most teenage friendgroups mean going outside alone riding in the streets carrying a bb gun and talking inappropriately. The people who don't suffer from lack of socialization. Perfectly good reason to kill yourself if you're really that depressed and helpless.

I see why they're doing it. It's because, like Boddy and other people said, to help the economy. This seems perfectly predictable for them, the government has a record of abusing stupidity for money.

 

[Card Slinger J]

The Pokemon franchise will not be destroyed by SOPA. I guarantee it. They sell games that they make to the public. End of story. They're not publishing pirated content. Therefore, I fail to see how it will die. In fact, it would probably flourish slightly. Less online information will lead to people going out and buying those paperback guides. Or you know, you could just play through the game the old fashion way without any information whatsoever.

Let me give you an example. Remember that whole debacle between the online community and Nintendo when Black and White came out? The information you had was very limited. Can you honestly tell me that if you knew nothing about it, you wouldn't have bought it?

What I was getting at is that since alot of people play the Pokemon video games through Wi-Fi Connection one of the best places to go and challenge people across the Internet on Wi-Fi is over on Serebii.net and with the way SOPA is currently worded that site would get shutdown because it's being hosted under a British server. If you get rid of Serebii.net that makes it much harder for people like me to challenge people for Wi-Fi Battles without having to do it through GTS where you can only have Single Battles with just 3 Pokemon.

You can still challenge people on Pojo but not very many people go over there to have a Wi-Fi Battle on Black and White and I've tried the PokeCommunity Forums and it's hard to tell If someone is online or not to actually battle them. I've tried the Marriland forums but they won't let me register an account cause apparently they don't take AOL for some reason. So now you see how and why my options are limited in terms of the Pokemon video games and how SOPA could destroy the Pokemon franchise in that sense but the TCG would still be alive though.

Since SOPA/PIPA also targets fan sites like this one any use of game sprites from the Pokemon games on those sites would be in violation of the legislation and that would also give the U.S. Government more leverage to have those sites get shutdown. Oh and did you guys know that hundreds of videos from Megavideo got shutdown since Megavideo is owned by Megaupload? Yeah can you believe it? It doesn't surprise me since it's basically like cutting off the head of the hydra where another head will sprout and reproduce and find some loophole around it.

 

[Glace]

Google could get shut down, and something cold happen to PB because of sprites.

It sounds good, but I do not think this is what is best for our country.

 

[Card Slinger J]

How does that sound good at all Glaceon? there's nothing good about SOPA/PIPA. Spare the sarcasm and quit being a jerk this is serious, I don't like this situation anymore than you do and taking it lightly doesn't help.

 

[Boddy]

I don't think AnimeUSA is talking about killing herself, she means other people.

I really hope that what I said wasn't taken that way. I meant "you" as in the general audience. In no way was I suggesting that AnimeUSA would kill herself.

I mean, sure, you could hang out with friends, but most teenage friendgroups mean going outside alone riding in the streets carrying a bb gun and talking inappropriately. The people who don't suffer from lack of socialization. Perfectly good reason to kill yourself if you're really that depressed and helpless.

That may be true, but like I said, people like this do need help, and there are plenty of ways to get it.

What I was getting at is that since alot of people play the Pokemon video games through Wi-Fi Connection one of the best places to go and challenge people across the Internet on Wi-Fi is over on Serebii.net and with the way SOPA is currently worded that site would get shutdown because it's being hosted under a British server. If you get rid of Serebii.net that makes it much harder for people like me to challenge people for Wi-Fi Battles without having to do it through GTS where you can only have Single Battles with just 3 Pokemon.

While that may be true, these effects on the Pokemon industry are not catastrophic. There's something I want to ask you. If Pokebeach and Serebii and other Pokemon community sites were to be taken down, would that stop others from coming about? The answer: Probably not. The concept is not that difficult. Create a chat site where people can arrange battles. In no way does that solicit or promote pirated content. You would just have to securely monitor what goes on. Problem solved. The main point is that Pokemon will not die, or falter.

 

[Card Slinger J]

Well the last place I could go to for Pokemon Wi-Fi Battles would be on Pojo since it's easy to tell whose online or offline on their forums. Other than that, there's not very many safe havens to turn too unless If I'm lucky enough to find a site that allows me to have Wi-Fi Battles and so far I haven't got much luck on it.

 

[BunnyBuner]

This has been going on for a bit but sites like Craigslist and Wikipedia have already closed theyre site for a day (on the 18th) so that the US Government could consider changing they're mind. SOPA wants to ruin the internet and has already done so (Some what in a small way) by closing down Mega Upload. The creator and 4 other workers were arrested today in New Zealand after being shut down. Anomynous (the group that also "hacked" PSN) has now shut down the United States Goverment's website.

What will happen next? Anything I forgot?

Discuss.

I don't think SOPA was passed yet was it? Megaupload's already down like you said.