PIPA Loses Support From Co-Sponsor Marco Rubio [UPDATED]

UPDATE 2: And plenty more, according to the Washington Post.

UPDATE: Add Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to the pile.

"After listening to the concerns on both sides of the debate over the PROTECT IP Act," he revealed on Twitter, "it is simply not ready for prime time."

--

A number of sites have “gone black” today in protest of the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act), and the latter has just lost one of its co-sponsors in the Senate.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla) announced his change of heart on his Facebook page today.

“We've heard legitimate concerns about the impact the bill could have on access to the Internet and about a potentially unreasonable expansion of the federal government's power to impact the Internet,” said Rubio. “Congress should listen and avoid rushing through a bill that could have many unintended consequences.”

Both SOPA and PIPA grapple with mounting concerns by Hollywood and other creative industries about piracy, but both have come under intense scrutiny. The intent of the bills may be sound, but as Rubio puts it, the "unintended consequences" could have a major impact on the way much of the Internet functions today.

Before DNS redirection was removed from SOPA, if a media company believed a website was infringing on its copyright, it could request ISPs redirect the website, essentially taking it offline, until the dispute was resolved. You can see why companies like Facebook and Google would be worried, and why we were keeping a close eye.

“I encourage Senator Reid to abandon his plan to rush the bill to the floor,” he continued. “Instead, we should take more time to address the concerns raised by all sides, and come up with new legislation that addresses Internet piracy while protecting free and open access to the Internet.”

UPDATE 2: And plenty more, according to the Washington Post.

UPDATE: Add Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to the pile.

"After listening to the concerns on both sides of the debate over the PROTECT IP Act," he revealed on Twitter, "it is simply not ready for prime time."

--

A number of sites have “gone black” today in protest of the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act), and the latter has just lost one of its co-sponsors in the Senate.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla) announced his change of heart on his Facebook page today.

“We've heard legitimate concerns about the impact the bill could have on access to the Internet and about a potentially unreasonable expansion of the federal government's power to impact the Internet,” said Rubio. “Congress should listen and avoid rushing through a bill that could have many unintended consequences.”

Both SOPA and PIPA grapple with mounting concerns by Hollywood and other creative industries about piracy, but both have come under intense scrutiny. The intent of the bills may be sound, but as Rubio puts it, the "unintended consequences" could have a major impact on the way much of the Internet functions today.

Before DNS redirection was removed from SOPA, if a media company believed a website was infringing on its copyright, it could request ISPs redirect the website, essentially taking it offline, until the dispute was resolved. You can see why companies like Facebook and Google would be worried, and why we were keeping a close eye.

“I encourage Senator Reid to abandon his plan to rush the bill to the floor,” he continued. “Instead, we should take more time to address the concerns raised by all sides, and come up with new legislation that addresses Internet piracy while protecting free and open access to the Internet.”

That's good news I guess

Thank god, let's hope the bill is dropped.

sweet

well played RUBIO, if thats your real name

Hmm.. Google is still up. :| Amazon as well... What sites are "black"?

much love for wiki and reddit for going dark today.

At least there's some measure of sanity prevailing.

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Man, I was really hoping that bill would curtail free speech. We've got too many options and it's killing creativity. Everything would be easier if large companies just told us what to do all the time, kind of like how wearing a school uniform liberates children from the pressures of selecting an outfit each day. Right, guys?

Doesn't mean it's time be calm. Never stand down.

@YOUNGLINK said:

well played RUBIO, if thats your real name

You should look that up on Wikipedia... oh wait!

Hurray!

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

@Yagami: Only a few major sites like Wikipedia and reddit are actually "shutting down", but a lot of them have something showing that they are against SOPA.

I hate the government.

Still don't care.

This is great news.

Also, calling Hollywood a "creative industry" seems pretty damn farcical, but that's a whole other issue.

You're still a douche, Rubio.

@MysteriousBob said:

Still don't care.

If you like the internet, you probably should. At least a little.

I'm from Rubio's state, and I have actually seen him speak at length and in person. This stance switch probably has more to do with his political aspirations than anything else, but still, it's good of him to oppose PIPA.

"Pee-puh" "Pie-puh" "... like BLAT BLAT BLAT!"

And just like that, Rubio is got a guaranteed seat for another senate term.

This fight will keep going on. I remember back around 1993 when I got a copy of the Mosaic browser, and html pages came from addresses that didn't start with "www" yet, I pointed out to people that this would soon be the next frontier where freedom of speech (and all the associated baggage) battles would be fought. I honestly didn't think we'd last this long, but it's been around 20 years already, and we're still here and still relatively unlegislated.

Think we can hold out another 20 years?

@Yagami said:

Hmm.. Google is still up. :| Amazon as well... What sites are "black"?

Google is still up because, at this point, it has to stay up. It's too big, and god knows no one wants to use Bing or Yahoo Search.

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

Thanks a bunch Capt. Bringdown.

Wait... he announced that he was pulling support on Facebook, a potential target of the censorship he was initially trying to get through? Maybe it's my political cynicism talking, but that sounds like a play to get positive press to bring up during a re-election to me.

"You know what, the internet is important, you nerds that I was trying really hard to fuck over were right! Don't forget to vote, by the way... just putting that out there."

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

You're right. Protests never work. We should never attempt to protest and should just roll over without question. Good post.

@Crono said:

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

You're right. Protests never work. We should never attempt to protest and should just roll over without question. Good post.

If you don't fight, you have no right to complain when rights goes away. Cynicism is a terrible disease.

@MysteriousBob said:

Still don't care.

Are you nuts? You should.

@Crono said:

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

You're right. Protests never work. We should never attempt to protest and should just roll over without question. Good post.

Exactly. Look at all of the change that OWS and the Tea Party brought about.

> "and come up with new legislation that addresses Internet piracy while protecting free and open access to the Internet.”"
 
It's like they're compelled to create new legislation even where none is needed. There's never any question of "DO we actually need more legislation", it's always "NEW legislation, but let's deal over the details!". Copyright terms longer than a lifetime isn't enough? The DMCA isn't enough? What /IS/ enough? What terms are agreeable to these people? Copyright terms of forever, and the right of a copyright-holder to kill people outright on suspicion of linking to a site the copyright-holder doesn't like?
 
The only way to stop piracy the the degree these people clamor for, is to enact a totalitarian regime with an "Internet" deattached from the world at large. And let me remind you; piracy exists in china, so getting to their level of civil liberties abuse IS NOT ENOUGH to stop piracy. BECOMING CHINA ISN'T ENOUGH. Can these critters get that through their skulls?
 
End censorship, not piracy.

I voted against Rubio last year.

@patrickklepek said:

@Crono said:

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

You're right. Protests never work. We should never attempt to protest and should just roll over without question. Good post.

If you don't fight, you have no right to complain when rights goes away. Cynicism is a terrible disease.

I don't know if you're responding to me or the guy I was responding to, Branthog, but I think I should clarify that I was be sarcastic in response to him. I think that Branthog, and people like him, grossly underestimate the value of raising awareness. He talks about how this will be a short-term victory and that this is little more than an annoyance but that is kind of the point. It is meant to be annoying and a proof-of-concept of how the internet could evolve if such legislation passes. I think this campaign is doing exactly what it intends to do: Raise awareness and get discussion flowing with some public discourse. Case in point - Branthog's diatribe. Sure, I may not agree with it, but fact is he is here discussing the issue, even if he is just rambling on about the ineffectual qualities of protesting like this. He is, in a sense, exacerbating the issue for his own standpoint - not quelling it.

This might last until the elections in November, then they're going to start steamrolling this through again. Right now potential votes are more important than anything else, so when guys like Rubio come out suddenly against bills like this, it's only because we're in an election year, not because he really believes what he's saying.

If we're not here again in about a year, if not less, I will be shocked.

@patrickklepek said:

@Crono said:

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

You're right. Protests never work. We should never attempt to protest and should just roll over without question. Good post.

If you don't fight, you have no right to complain when rights goes away. Cynicism is a terrible disease.

Damn right there is little we can do in situations like this, we don't have much control over this stuff any small victory is something to be proud of not spat upon.

As much as I understand how important this all is, and any news against SOPA and PIPA is good news, I really don't think this story belongs on a video game website.

@stalefishies: Why? Giant Bomb HUGELY affected by SOPA & PIPA. If anything, they SHOULD be talking about it with their readership.

@patrickklepek said:

@Crono said:

@Branthog said:

@Evilsbane said:

To those who doubted the protest *sticks tongue out*

Yes, congratulations. They've managed to make everyone pretend to pull back temporarily so they can find other insipid ways to push through the same legislation. This same furor was raised during DMCA legislation and it eventually found its way into law. So will this. There may be slight changes, but the meat of the infringement will still exist. All that has been accomplished is that they have realized that they need to be more discreet about this, next time (they figured that only a few engineering nerds would catch on to this and the rest of the population wouldn't bother).

Those people who think anything meaningful and long term has been accomplished are probably too young to understand how these patterns play out. They're the same kids who voted for Obama this past election under the premise that he was finally a non-regular politician. Why, after more than two-hundred years, THAT was going to be the time they finally had someone who wasn't "business as usual". And then they discovered that he was. The same thing will happen this next election (and no matter who wins, they will be the same business as usual figure as every other has been).

It's great that there is enough outcry that it has at least inconvenienced legislators a little bit. But in the end, it's just an inconvenience. And . . . where have these people who suddenly give a damn been the last fifteen years?

You're right. Protests never work. We should never attempt to protest and should just roll over without question. Good post.

If you don't fight, you have no right to complain when rights goes away. Cynicism is a terrible disease.

"Cynicism is a terrible disease." Along with selfishness it has cost a lot to the US.

this would be more interesting if it was about Ricky Rubio.

@stalefishies said:

As much as I understand how important this all is, and any news against SOPA and PIPA is good news, I really don't think this story belongs on a video game website.

Does SOPA suddenly not affect the game industry?

@stalefishies said:

As much as I understand how important this all is, and any news against SOPA and PIPA is good news, I really don't think this story belongs on a video game website.

It matters because, as the guys talked about a bit on the podcast, unintended consequences of the bill could very well affect this website and others like it that show footage of material that is, for all intents and purposes, copyrighted. It opens the door for abuse where a company may not like a critical angle in a video and demand the site be shut down until it is removed. The ESA has also come out in support of the bills, while members of that group have released statements against them. It's a story that affects coverage of games on the internet as well as all sites with social elements and it's worth reporting on.

@stalefishies: Way to sound ignorant!

Translates to "Too many people seem to have paid attention to this and I need to keep my job so I can continue getting lobbied. Here's me trying to save face and not lose voters. By the way Reid, here's a bus, try to get under it"

Reform copyright law to something not insane and then we can talk about "protecting IP". Not before or it will not work.

@w00master: @iAmJohn: @megalowho: @Taklulas: Don't get me wrong, I know how important this all is for Giant Bomb and video games in general, but these articles aren't talking about how important this is for GB or for gaming. It's just senators. I don't really think that belongs on a site that advertises itself as a video game site. It's interesting, but unless it's 'Here is Giant Bomb's official position on SOPA and PIPA' or 'Video game people say this about how much SOPA/PIPA sucks/doesn't suck' then it probably belongs on a personal blog.

@JenniferAniston said:

[Comment deleted]

Perfect.

@stalefishies: well, when you have a videogames website you can put whatever content you want on it. GB runs the content they think their readers want to see, but they can't please everyone (no matter how hard they try).