The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) -- or, more accurately, its membership -- has decided to withdraw support for the ailing "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA). The move comes as both SOPA and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) continue to lose momentum.
"From the beginning, ESA has been committed to the passage of balanced legislation to address the illegal theft of intellectual property found on foreign rogue sites. Although the need to address this pervasive threat to our industry's creative investment remains, concerns have been expressed about unintended consequences stemming from the current legislative proposals," the ESA wrote in a public statement.
"Accordingly, we call upon Congress, the Obama Administration, and stakeholders to refocus their energies on producing a solution that effectively balances both creative and technology interests. As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection and are committed to working with all parties to encourage a balanced solution."
Although SOPA and PIPA have retreated away from a vote, both had some powerful backing and could come back. You can continue to contact Congress and the US State Department and let them know how you feel by filling out forms found here.
Reader Comments (65)
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:43PM sonofman said
@sonofman
but but but...
You did see http://penny-arcade.com/comic/2012/01/20 today right?
I mean... it just seemed convenient....
Reply
but but but...
You did see http://penny-arcade.com/comic/2012/01/20 today right?
I mean... it just seemed convenient....
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:45PM Stevetrop Man of Mystery said
@sonofman
This is beyond Penny Arcade. This was a collective stand that Internet had against our rights being taken from us. This battle is not over yet however, it is clear that we have made them recognize that we have a voice. We will not be silenced.
Reply
This is beyond Penny Arcade. This was a collective stand that Internet had against our rights being taken from us. This battle is not over yet however, it is clear that we have made them recognize that we have a voice. We will not be silenced.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 7:17PM DevilSei said
@PatientJ
Not quite, their statement is horribly vague and made to be so on purpose. They haven't withdrawn support of anything, they are just saying "hey, since this thing is dead in the water, yeah we don't support it exactly. But there's always next time, and that bill we will support again! Until it hits a dead end of course"
Reply
Not quite, their statement is horribly vague and made to be so on purpose. They haven't withdrawn support of anything, they are just saying "hey, since this thing is dead in the water, yeah we don't support it exactly. But there's always next time, and that bill we will support again! Until it hits a dead end of course"
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:24PM jsx92 said
Nonsense. They still support anti-piracy measures and always will, but sometimes you have to admit defeat because you can't win every battle.
I love my free internet, but I'm also for law enforcement enforcing copyright laws. Copyright reform is one thing, but the argument that intellectual property is inherently worthless is just about the stupidest group-think on the internet (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go read torrent freak.com).
MegaUpload is dead and more will follow. The message is clear, copyright violation won't be tolerated and eventually they'll figure out how to combat it in a more effective manner. There's still plenty of people in the world who aren't internet radicals.
Reply
I love my free internet, but I'm also for law enforcement enforcing copyright laws. Copyright reform is one thing, but the argument that intellectual property is inherently worthless is just about the stupidest group-think on the internet (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go read torrent freak.com).
MegaUpload is dead and more will follow. The message is clear, copyright violation won't be tolerated and eventually they'll figure out how to combat it in a more effective manner. There's still plenty of people in the world who aren't internet radicals.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:46PM Stevetrop Man of Mystery said
@Ignatius
*Watches the rats scurry away from the sinking ship*
Reply
*Watches the rats scurry away from the sinking ship*
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:25PM ShadowOp814 said
@Ignatius
Dude, you just likened Picard and his crew to the likes of the ESA and other former SOPA and PIPA supporters... For shame, my friend. For shame...
Reply
Dude, you just likened Picard and his crew to the likes of the ESA and other former SOPA and PIPA supporters... For shame, my friend. For shame...
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 7:02PM singleandlovinit said
I dont think it changes anything, the ESA's lobbyists suck.
The RIAA has such powerful lobbyists that they are practically a branch of government. Until the RIAA backs off SOPA is always a possibility, theyve gotten some bullshit laws made before with no support from anyone else.
Reply
The RIAA has such powerful lobbyists that they are practically a branch of government. Until the RIAA backs off SOPA is always a possibility, theyve gotten some bullshit laws made before with no support from anyone else.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:27PM CaptainProtonX said
"... they had some powerful backing and could come back."
If you take Star Wars as precedent, yes. The Empire does strike back. But then the rebels find the weakness (again) and this time have the emporer destroyed in his own chamber of power.
Then the Ewoks danced.
Reply
If you take Star Wars as precedent, yes. The Empire does strike back. But then the rebels find the weakness (again) and this time have the emporer destroyed in his own chamber of power.
Then the Ewoks danced.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:43PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
@CaptainProtonX
Coincidentally, I have all of my furry bits exposed and am dancing about as well.
Reply
Coincidentally, I have all of my furry bits exposed and am dancing about as well.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:22PM ShadowOp814 said
@CaptainProtonX
Ya'll up for an Ewok dance party when this is all done?
Reply
Ya'll up for an Ewok dance party when this is all done?
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:27PM Alexisonfire said
But I hadn't even done anything against ESA yet!
Now I just like a jerk who was too lazy to help out...
Reply
Now I just like a jerk who was too lazy to help out...
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:32PM Courtney said
Well, I can't say I respect this decision much, as they waited until just about every one else in America had already decided that these bills were probably a bad idea.
It's also disappointing that the Video Game Voters Network never once issued a single statement about SOPA or PIPA. The VGVN is the "call-to-action" arm of the ESA that's supposed to represent gamers rights. Now that it's clear that the VGVN is just there as another proponent of corporates rights, it's going to be difficult or impossible for me to ever take it seriously.
Reply
It's also disappointing that the Video Game Voters Network never once issued a single statement about SOPA or PIPA. The VGVN is the "call-to-action" arm of the ESA that's supposed to represent gamers rights. Now that it's clear that the VGVN is just there as another proponent of corporates rights, it's going to be difficult or impossible for me to ever take it seriously.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:32PM xHotPotatox said
Someone should tell the ESA to wipe the shit from their mouths before they start acting so saying such things
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:33PM (Unverified) said
"It looks like we're gonna lose, guys! LET'S JUMP SHIP!"
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:35PM AxelSteelBMX said
Is there anyplace other than Joystiq that I can find this statement in its entirety? I didn't see it on the ESA website...
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:41PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Wait. We won? Albeit momentarily, but the internet prevailed? Didn't see that one coming.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:01PM ShadowXIII said
Should still keep an ear to the ground for awhile....I highly doubt this is over.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 8:56PM EliminatorZigma said
@Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En
Lesson learned?
If you're gonna go up against the entire internet, you'd better be more prepared than these guys were.
Reply
Lesson learned?
If you're gonna go up against the entire internet, you'd better be more prepared than these guys were.
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 4:42PM Once known as Shadsy said
This is like watching someone slowly dying after they're pulled off life support.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:13PM Brando Calrissian said
Pfff, too little too late, esa. Way to jump on the banwagon.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:18PM Stevetrop Man of Mystery said
I have one thing to say about this/
It took you long enough!
Reply
It took you long enough!
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:39PM CleanUndies said
@CleanUndies
wow, thanks for the edit button Joystiq!!!
-S +A ...
Reply
wow, thanks for the edit button Joystiq!!!
-S +A ...
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:29PM commonperson said
About freaking time but I find it hilarious that they chose now to retreat from their support of the bill. I think more the fact that a ton of people were saying they were going to boycott their money maker E3 which really drove the stake through that hart. So all that's left is the MPAA and the RIAA. So the toady sloths who've been dragging the internet backwards for the last ten years. Funny that.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2012 5:31PM Gibbeynator said
@commonperson
They couldn't have been any more obvious about their REAL motivations, even if they snuck in a plug for E3 somewhere in there.
Reply
They couldn't have been any more obvious about their REAL motivations, even if they snuck in a plug for E3 somewhere in there.
Posted: Jan 22nd 2012 7:02AM Teeree said
If that's true they're coming back at us hard. The majority of the American public bases political opinion off of the mere attractiveness of something. A bill titled with children and porno is going to get a bunch of parents and organizational support, more than just corporations...
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