Will Acta End Hubpages??? Im Super Worried

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   vanhoveposted 12 years ago

   I have been reading so much about this ACTA, SOPA, and PIPA laws and it has got me so worried that this will end hubpages? Is this true? Will this law end the hubpages that so many people like myself truely love?????!!!!!

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      That Grrlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's about pirated and copied content so I don't know why it would affect HubPages. The content here is supposed to be original.

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         WryLiltposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Have you been through the hub hopper lately? There are dozens of items spun off original content on other sites. People plagerise all the time.
         
         Not to mention people using photos illegally.
         
         It only takes one user breaking the pirate rules and the whole site could be blocked.

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            Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            That's my understanding too.  If even one user breaks the rules, the whole site can be taken off air immediately, even before the complaint has been looked into.
            
            It would mean the end of all sites that rely on content from multiple users, because it would mean the site owners would have to manually approve every new contribution, which wouldn't be economic.
            
            Personally I'd be quite happy if it spelled the end of bookmarking sites like Stumbleupon, Digg, Reddit etc, which have become wastelands full of people who are only interested in self-promotion.  But it would mean sites like HP would be hit, too - everyone would have to go back to individual blogs.

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               vanhoveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Going back to individual blogs would be heartbreaking. That is so ridiculous. I have many blogs. However, in my opinion the greatest content to be found on the web is from people right here on hubpages. I often search hubpages for information before going to google because I know someone with real life experience has probably written a hub on that topic from personal experience. This whole thing just disgusts me to say it nicely.

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               WryLiltposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I like the way Wizzley works... they let you publish your article but until they've reviewed it, it can't be indexed by search engines.

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               relacheposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               It's not just if a site user breaks the rules, you could lose your website if you link to a site that is accused of violating copyright.

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                  vanhoveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  That is unbelievable. I did not even know that detail. That makes it ten times worse. The internet will probably cease to exist if this happens. I mean, who is going to use the web if this happens? I can not believe that there are some evil people out there trying to do this and the goverment is going to back them. Wow.

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         I am DB Cooperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It is about pirated and copied content, but the reason everyone is making a fuss about this is it also goes after those who facilitate the distribution of pirated and copied content. If Hubpages were subject to criminal prosecution for hosting a hub that uses copyrighted content without permission, I would imagine Hubpages would just shut down. YouTube, Reddit, Digg, and possibly even search engines like Google would have to either shut down or seriously alter the way they function.

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            Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            That is why we have to work hard to flag those copied and spun content to that it doesn't affect this site.

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               WD Curry 111posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Flagging is flogging. When the program handles the deal, it can seem harsh to sensitive people. Before I drop the dime to Big Brother, I would give a "heads up" to the author.
               I have ignorantly used photos that I didn't handle properly, and it took me awhile to figure out what the program was being so fussy about. It won't meet you half way.
               
               Off course, you don't need to worry. You run a tight ship.

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                  Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  WD, things like photos I can bypass and send an email but things like spun content and plagiarism I cannot stand. I know it seems harsh to flag some people but if they continue to post articles that have been written by spinning software or it they use content that has been posted elsewhere we cannot overlook those.

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   relacheposted 12 years ago

   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/91317
   
   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/91338

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   vanhoveposted 12 years ago

   Great points guys. Only one user being able to take down a site? That is unbelievable. This has to be stopped.
   
   Has hubpages released any statement on this???

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      Norah Caseyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, you can find our official response to internet blacklisting legislation here at the blog:
      http://blog.hubpages.com/2011/11/internet-blacklisting/
      
      We encourage all Hubbers in the United States to contact your congressional representatives about these pieces of legislation.

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         vanhoveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Norah, thank you so much for responding.
         
         I have a question for you since you seem to know a lot about this.
         
         When is this bill supposed to take effect? At what time will the government, if the bill is passed, be able to unfairly take down a site like hubpages?

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         Aficionadaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I only just now took time to read that HP blog post and watch the video embedded there. They are both excellent. 
         
         The video explains the intent and the likely outcome of these laws very clearly and succinctly.  I highly recommend that everyone watch it (only 4+ minutes).
         
         @That Grrl - if you read the blog post, you will see how and why the laws would affect HubPages and similar sites. (Or were you perhaps being ironic and facetious?) I was also in the dark about the issues for a long time, but the matter is too serious for us to ignore.

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   vanhoveposted 12 years ago

   This will truely be the end of the internet as we know it. I hope that there will be enough rebellion that people will not even think about doing this.
   
   Do you guys realize that the only reason anyone in the world is supporting this is because they have been paid to?
   
   Politicians like Harry Reid, have been paid to support this. A few bad apple companies are paying our politicians to end our internet as we know it. I am so enraged that I can not even see straight. My fingers are literally shaking as I type this I am so angry.

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   vanhoveposted 12 years ago

   Does Anyone know when this will take effect? When are we looking at the consequences of this? Is there a specific date?
   
   Much thanks for any responses? I am losing my mind right now

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   LindaSmith1posted 12 years ago

   There is some good news. Lawmakers who supported these bills are now beginning to withdraw their support due to Blackout Today.

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   vanhoveposted 12 years ago

   Thank you LindaSmith1, I will sleep slightly easier knowing that. Hopefully there is a lot more of "support being withdrawn for this bill".

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   DonnaCosmatoposted 12 years ago

   According to an email I got from the organization Fight for the Future, yesterday's blackout resulted in 35 Senators publicly declaring a stand against SOPA, but it will take 41 votes to kill it. Fight for the Future is urging folks to call their Senators everyday next week to keep the pressure on. I'll be on the phone and I hope others here will have time to make some calls as well.

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      recommend1posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good on you DonnaCosmato - for those of us outside the US our governments have either slipped similar bills into law or have them on the books ready to go - all ready to hook up together !
      
      For those people who do not understand - this is a direct attack on free speech and you are all about to lose yet another freedom.

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         IzzyMposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The UK brought out the Digital Economy Act 2 years ago, but it still hasn't been implemented - held up by legal challenges, apparently - no doubt they are waiting on the US pushing through the SOPA Bill, so please peeps, fight it all you can.
         France also has a similar law in the making, and Spain recently rushed one through too, but no-one pays any attention to Spanish laws anyway. They only ever enact their laws when they are short of money.
         
         [Heard of one guy who recently got a huge fine for collecting edible snails in the countryside, and another hit with an on-the-spot fine for driving while wearing sandals! Who knew they were illegal? But that is off-topic]
         
         The BBC put an interesting page up yesterday for anyone wanting to know more about what is happening with SOPA - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16623831

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   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   SOPA is most likely dead, but if it did pass it sure as hell would affect *any* site with user-generated content.  Probably effectively shutting them down.

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    sunforgedposted 12 years ago

    SOPA will return in other forms, PIPA is still viable. Making sure your Reps know your concerns on this issue and continuing to make sure they know will be important for years to come
    
    It will take more then one "Blackout Tuesday" to stop the interests behind SOPA/PIPA

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