Letter to Students about SOPA/ PIPA

Some of you know that I am the President of UR Laws Student Intellectual Property Society.  Yesterday, I sent this letter out to the students encouraging them to inform themselves on SOPA/ PIPA.  I urge you to read it as well, and to look into this proposed bill.  While I myself vehemently oppose this legislation, the email below offers both sides of the debate.

Good morning friends,
If you have tried to access Wikipedia or Google this morning, I am sure you have been made well aware of the blackout in protest of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). As IP students, I urge you to educate yourselves on this proposed bill.  The full text can be found here:  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261: The Wiki page outlining the proposed bills can be read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_IP_Act. A fairly objective article weighing the pros- and cons of SOPA and PIPA can be found here: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/01/18/pro-and-con-speaking-up-in-support-and-protest-of-sopa-and-internet-blackouts-72991  or here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16612628.

Pro SOPA/ PIPALetter from law firm Cahill, Gordon, and Reindel LLP http://www.mpaa.org/Resources/1227ef12-e209-4edf-b8b8-bb4af768430c.pdfLetter to Politico from Rep. Lamar Smith: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70948.html#ixzz1jl5OEGZk

Anti SOPA/ PIPAAn interesting full analysis (anti-SOPA) by Mashable can be read here:  http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-dangerous-opinion/
Response from the White House regarding SOPA/ PIPA https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/response/combating-online-piracy-while-protecting-open-and-innovative-internetIf you would like to sign the petition opposing SOPA/ PIPA, please visit  https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/  (it takes maybe 10 seconds).


And for a lighthearted (yet educational) view of SOPA/ PIPA, please view http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/17/the-day-the-lolcats-died/

No matter which side you chose, this is a serious IP issue that will effect each of us in our IP careers. Please take the time to inform yourself.

What are your thoughts on SOPA/ PIPA?