The bill claims to protect against unlawful copyright infringement by shutting down sites that post copyrighted material. But its vague wording means that search engines could end up blocking access to entire websites for containing just the smallest portion of infringing content.
If we let that happen, that would mean they'd be barring access to content that is protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution. And who knows how far the censorship would go after that. We can't let that stand.
This isn't just a matter of overseas' copyright infringement. And it's not just an issue for tech companies and the social media elite. This is a matter of protecting everyone's Constitutional right to freedom of speech — and that means it's a matter for you and the ACLU.
Tell Congress to oppose SOPA and work to find a better solution to stop online piracy without restricting lawful online content.
The ACLU works exhaustively to find solutions to our laws that meet the changing landscape of 21st century technology. But the one principle that always guides us through our work — that has driven our work for more than 90 years — is that new laws must respect and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Quite simply, SOPA does not meet that principle. There is a way to slow down online piracy without impeding free speech on the Internet and the ACLU will work day in and day out to find that solution. But the bill as it stands now infringes on our constitutional rights.
As defenders of the Constitution, we must speak out now and protect the right to freedom of speech. Add your name to the ACLU's opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act today.
I know you're just as passionate as I am about protecting our Constitution. And I know we've counted on you to guide our country's laws forward in the past. I hope we can count on you again today.
 | Thanks for all you do, Anthony D. Romero Executive Director, ACLU |
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