Proposed “Stop Online Piracy Act” could alter internet usage

By Thomas Hair Online Blog Editor When the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was introduced to the House of Representatives in late October, it immediately became a subject of intense debate and is already one of the most controversial topics of 2012. SOPA, in addition to its senate counterpart (PIPA), was proposed by Texas Republican Lamar Smith. If passed, it would give the US government power to regulate both piracy of copyrighted materials and sale of counterfeit goods. This piece of legislature would grant the federal government, and copyright holders, the ability to reprimand, black or even destroy offending websites. In short, your favorite website for illegal movies could be gone by February, along with all unauthorized music on…

In the end, Piracy is illegal

By Wren Culp Staff Writer Taking cars, iPods and cell phones is what people call stealing. Physical stealing is illegal. But what most people don’t think about is the fact that stealing something over the Internet is also stealing. It’s called piracy. And it’s illegal. Since the dawn of the Internet in 1989, music artists had a new way of reaching audiences, companies had better ways to get their products out, and online shopping even emerged. The internet was a revolution. But of course, there are always people that want to take a shortcut when it comes to paying for stuff. The textbook definition of stealing is “to take the property of others without permission…