Democracy In Action: 18 New Senators Oppose PIPA After Protests

Good job Internet!

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Denizens of the Internet (and those still recovering from Wikipedia withdrawal) rejoice! Yesterday's blackouts and widespread protests have not gone in vain. Support for the sweeping anti-piracy laws SOPA and PIPA has taken a serious blow as 18 new senators have come out against the senate version of the bill since Wednesday's demonstrations.

Seven of PIPA's new opponents were former co-sponsors of the controversial bill that have now apparently seen the light. Phone lines to many senate offices were clogged yesterday, thanks to persistent calls from concerned constituents.

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, one of PIPA's co-authors who has since changed sides, said yesterday that the chamber should "avoid rushing through a bill that could have many unintended consequences." Senator Orin Hatch of Utah, meanwhile, admitted that PIPA was simply "not ready for primetime."

As we reported yesterday, PIPA, and its House of Representatives analog SOPA, has been denounced by pro-Internet groups for including provisions that could hold websites liable merely for hosting links to other websites that contain copyrighted content. The law's chief supporters are in the entertainment industry.

A full list of the Senators who have joined the anti-PIPA ranks can be found at Ars Technica.

[via Ars Technica]

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