Right now, on Jan 18th 2012, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could fatally damage the free and open Internet. SOPA and PIPA are legistlation that will, if enacted, fundamentally change the princinples of the internet's operation. It will give U.S. law enforcement agencies and major copyright holders the power to seek court orders against websites that infringe on copyright and intellectual property laws, to the extent of allowing the shutting down of entire such websites. Due to vague and sweeping criteria of infringement and party responsibility thereof, the legistation could be enacted as a means for internet censorship. As such it is considered a violation of the First Amendment.

Please contact your representative in Congress and tell them you oppose SOPA and PIPA.

Ben.