Obama Administration Makes Statement on SOPA & Protect IP Act

The President responds to the controversial Internet bills.

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The Obama Administration on Saturday finally made a statement declaring its stance on a series of highly controversial acts designed to eliminate online piracy.

In a blog posted on the White House's website, the Obama Administration said that it will oppose any legislation that "reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet." 

While that statement doesn't clearly place the President on either side of the debate, it does show that Obama does not fully endorse the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Acts that aim to severely cut down on the piracy of music and movies, and the sale of counterfeit goods. 

The Administration did make clear that online piracy is a "real problem  that harms the American economy, threatens jobs for significant numbers of middle class workers and hurts some of our nation's most creative and innovative companies and entrepreneurs." It encouraged music companies and movie studios to work with Internet companies and other private companies to figure out a solution: 

"The Administration calls on all sides to work together to pass sound legislation this year that provides prosecutors and rights holders new legal tools to combat online piracy originating beyond U.S. borders while staying true to the principles outlined above in this response.

"This is not just a matter for legislation. We expect and encourage all private parties, including both content creators and Internet platform providers working together, to adopt voluntary measures and best practices to reduce online piracy."

The blog post ends with the administration saying that it will continue to work with congress on "legislation that provides new tools needed in the global fight against piracy and counterfeiting, while vigorously defending an open Internet based on the values of free expression, privacy, security and innovation." 

[The White House via Politico

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