Spreading the word about SOPA

[quote=virago]I know there are already many threads here and elsewhere about this very topic, but RIOT has requested we front page this to help them spread the word and we're all too happy to help! [color=#ff8000][h2]Rize @ Riot speaks out about SOPA:[/h2][/color] [quote] [img=http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7GoJ8-IAxqnaXnng2FPbh11HL6FuA9ykBs9zmV18Km8gJgifxYT71qPr4Rg] Summoners, We’re not usually inclined to comment on politics. We’re a game company, and making games is just a whole lot more fun. But there is legislation under consideration today by the United States Congress that gives us serious concern. Called the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) in the House of Representatives and the "PROTECT IP Act" (PIPA) in the Senate, these bills are a misguided attempt to curb the illegal piracy of copyrighted content (like movies, music and games). Preventing piracy of copyrighted content is a laudable goal, and Riot supports legitimate efforts to combat these activities and protect content creators (like us). However, SOPA/PIPA goes far beyond simply addressing piracy. This proposed legislation actually threatens any website that features user-generated content. In effect, any copyright holder could file a claim that a streaming website is hosting unauthorized content (such as a song in the background of a League of Legends stream). Under the law, ad networks, payment providers and internet service providers are now potentially liable for their user’s infringement. These services could then be compelled to immediately remove support for a streaming website or face a costly legal battle – at a minimum cutting off financial means, and likely shutting off the site entirely. How would SOPA/PIPA impact League of Legends players? [list] [*][b]Kills streaming.[/b] If any single streamer plays copyrighted music (or alt tabs into a movie or other owned content) on their stream, there is a significant risk of the entire streaming service being taken down. In some cases, it could even result in criminal penalties for the streamer. [*][b]Threatens independent content creation.[/b] Services we all use to create and share League of Legends related content, such as YouTube, Reddit, DeviantArt, streaming websites such as Own3d and Twitch, and more would be at risk of shutting down or greatly restricting the scope of legitimate content allowed on their sites. [*][b]Attacks our community.[/b] Aspects of our service such as the official forums and potentially even in-game chat, could be taken down or have their features reduced based on user behavior. [*][b]Other harmful effects.[/b] SOPA/PIPA undermine established intellectual property legislation like the DMCA, raise serious constitutional free speech issues, and could even compromise the basic security infrastructure of the internet. [/list] Congress will reconvene at the end of January, and with a long roster of supporters on both sides of the aisle, SOPA/PIPA could actually pass. The likelihood is so great that technology giants including Google, Amazon, Facebook and Twitter have gone so far as to publicly consider a simultaneous blackout in protest. Riot Games is opposed to SOPA/PIPA in their present form. While we do support efforts to prevent online piracy, the current form of this legislation comes at far too high a cost for us, our players, and online communities across the internet. Help us take a stand. Write your congressperson today and voice your opposition to this misguided and harmful legislation: https://action.eff.org/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8173[/quote] Thank you to [url=http://www.mobafire.com/profile/mooninites-38547]Mooninites[/url] for starting [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/forum/general/sopa-discuss-11687?page=1]this thread[/url] in the GD forum and to [url=http://www.mobafire.com/profile/exampleprime-12621]ExamplePrime[/url] for starting [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/forum/off-topic/sopa-madness-10963]this thread[/url] in the off-topic forum. There is certainly a broad range of opinions about about this potential legislation. Please continue to voice your thoughts either in the forums above, or start some new dialogue here.[/quote]

[quote=Scrax]I've signed all the petitions for this I could find and I urge everyone else to do the same.[/quote]

[quote=AtherAngelus]Only solution against piracy is making people understand it hurts the economy. If you will make laws and rules about it, trust me, I have been there, that's where the fun starts ....[/quote]

[quote=Temzilla][quote=AtherAngelus] Only solution against piracy is making people understand it hurts the economy. If you will make laws and rules about it, trust me, I have been there, that's where the fun starts .... [/quote] It doesn't hurt the economy as much as you would think. The only solution against piracy is to offer a better service than the pirates.[/quote]

[quote=Arthzil][quote=AtherAngelus] Only solution against piracy is making people understand it hurts the economy. If you will make laws and rules about it, trust me, I have been there, that's where the fun starts .... [/quote] Piracy is bad, but does not hurt economy that much. Huge percentage of people who downloads pirated software would not buy original. Also significant amount of people who downloaded pirated software to test if it's worth buying will buy it if they like it. Value of pirated content is based on whole number of downloads and not on potential buyers. That's why it's so high.[/quote]

[quote=BrutalOddball]Where do I sign the petition?[/quote]

[quote=omagma]^ A simple google search on "sopa" will find you plenty of petitions (:[/quote]

[quote=Rys Aberdeen]PIRACY IS BAD MUST STOP WITH CENSORSHIP PEOPLE RIOT BUT NOT IF POLICE BRUTALITY WAS ALLOWED TAXES ARE BAD FOR POOR PEOPLE CUZ THEY MAKE LESS MONEY Lol. Too bad the world is largely run by right wing idiots.[/quote]

[quote=Nighthawk]BRONIES. UNITE.[/quote]

[quote=Vort]*Steals internet souls* [quote=Temzilla] It doesn't hurt the economy as much as you would think. The only solution against piracy is to offer a better service than the pirates. [/quote] ^ The truth. Now Walmart. Walmart hurts the economy.[/quote]