Votes on both pieces of legislation have been pushed back for the time being.
SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act), at least in their current forms, are no more.
You can thank the endless headlines generated by this week’s Internet blackout, plus the kicking and screaming from technology companies opposed to Hollywood’s legislative push-back on piracy.
House judiciary committee chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) both announced plans to delay any movement on either piece of controversial legislation.
“I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy,” said Smith. “It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products.”
“There’s no reason that legitimate issues raised about PROTECT IP can’t be resolved,” said Reid on Twitter. “Counterfeiting & piracy cost 1000s of #jobs yearly #pipa. [...] Americans rightfully expect to be fairly compensated 4 their work. I’m optimistic that we can reach compromise on PROTECT IP in coming weeks.”
The issue hasn’t been tabled, just delayed. SOPA and PIPA will come back with new names, and new attempts at regulating piracy. Hopefully, they’ll come back with something more reasonable.