FOR THE WEEK OF JAN. 23, 2012

Congress retreats from Internet piracy bills after fierce outcry

Look for any story mentioning online content, shopping or gaming.

Now see if you can find coverage or an ad featuring any other digital technology, such as smart phones, e-readers or music players.

Discuss or list ways that copyright law benefits online readers of this newspaper and its publisher.

Backers and critics of anti-piracy legislation escalated a policy fight last week over two bills that could bring sweeping changes to the Internet. The high-profile fight led Congress to delay action indefinitely instead of proceeding this week. The New York Times describes that abrupt retreat Friday as "a major defeat to the traditional media industry while emboldening a new breed of online political activists."

Similar proposals in the House and Senate, now set aside, would have let the Justice Department and copyright holders shut websites that sell counterfeit goods or violate copyright law by posting music, writing, videos or other original creative material without permission.

Supporters included publishers, movie studios, record labels, drug makers and other industries. They said the legislation -- the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) -- would have protected consumers and brought more U.S. jobs by blocking bootlegged content and goods. Proponents argue that the bills targeted only rogue foreign websites aimed at U.S. consumers.

Critics, including President Obama, said the bills went too far. "Protect intellectual property, but don’t threaten an open Internet," the White House tweeted from @BarackObama. Opponents also included free speech advocates and Internet companies, many of which posted strong calls to action last Wednesday. Google collected 4.5 million online petition signatures. Wikipedia and other sites protested by blocking full access for a day.

Congressman says: "The [House Judiciary] Committee remains committed to finding a solution to the problem of online piracy that protects American intellectual property and innovation." -- Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, last Friday

Senator says: "The way citizens communicate with their government is never going to be the same." -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon

Author says: "Our opposition has become so extreme that we are doing more harm than good to our own cause. Those rare tech companies that have come out in support of SOPA are not merely criticized, but barred from industry events and subject to boycotts. We, the keepers of the flame of free speech, are banishing people for their speech." -- Jaron Lanier, Microsoft researcher who wrote You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto

Front Page Talking Points Archive

►Fresh population figures show the changing face of America

►U.S. scrutiny of online communication and calls stirs debate over snooping vs. security

►Facebook draws the line: Hateful, nasty posts about women are out of bounds

►Summer brings movie lineup of superheroes, zombies, sci-fi and comedies

►Federal safety board urges tougher drinking-and-driving cutoff limit to match other nations

►Northeast braces for noisy invasion: Flying cicada bugs return after hiding for 17 years

►U.S. military prison at Guantanamo, Cuba, remains a tricky problem for President Obama

►Doctors warn about serious health risks from 'The Cinnamon Challenge' video craze

►Earth Day on April 22 focuses attention on how we can protect the natural environment

►Thousands of past players take on the National Football League over brain injuries

►Complete archive