The Stop Online Piracy Act has become one of the most hot topic issues with most major tech companies (like Facebook and Google) vocally opposing the bill while many sites went dark for 24 hours on January 18 in protest.
The politician behind what many call the biggest threat to both technology and free speech is Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), Chairmen of the House Judiciary Committee. As the author of SOPA, he has been so passionate about the bill that for a time he had refused to compromise on it.
For now, he has backed off his version of SOPA and claims will be working on a more effective bill that would fight online piracy. Despite this claim, one should not expect any efficient bill that fights online-piracy from Rep. Smith.
Examining the policies and history of Rep. Smith will bring to light the lack of understanding he has in technology and the lobbyists behind this attack on the internet.
First and foremost; Rep. Smith is definitely not a qualified expert regarding technology or the internet. If anything he could be best described as an individual who thinks the internet is witchcraft. His voting record has shown that he has been one of the biggest obstacles in the progression of technology.
But in his politics, this is another GOP ploy in attempted to protect the interest of big business at the expense of freedom. Like Paul Ryan (R-WI) and his “Medicare reform”; SOPA has been disguised as reform. If passed, it will limit the expansion or shutdown one of the greatest medias.
Like most legislation proposed by Republican politicians; SOPA was a job killing bill that would have only benefited some interest group. Had it passed it would have been detrimental for tech giants like Google and Facebook.
The biggest supporters of SOPA are the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). These groups have on their own tried to fight online-piracy by using a variety of sleazy tactics. They also happen to be Rep. Smith biggest campaign contributor.
The House Judiciary Committee will try again with another bill next month, but it will be very likely another Draconian act will be proposed with Rep. Smith leading the battle against online piracy.
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