Today’s move by Wikipedia, Google, and other internet providers that have blocked or reduce their websites and services to protest the imminent passage of SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) in Congress illuminates the intersection and conflicts arising in the areas of policy, creative/intellectual rights, and an individual’s right to free and unfettered access to knowledge. As educators and consumers of this knowledge (both individually and in our own practice as professionals) this move by providers is significant. Given how knowledge is used and manipulated through social media by ourselves and students, it is important to revisit the issue of intellectual property rights verses free and open access to information.
For educators outside of the United States, the debate around SOPA will likely be significant as variations of this policy is likely to be replicated in both the European Union and the Commonwealth. In Canada where I am studying, a CBC report by Daniel Swartz (2012) As a result, I would encourage everyone to become more familiar with this policy. For more information about the online blackout, SOPA, and PIPA I would refer them to the following sites:
Wikipedia’ s position on SOPA and PIPA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more
PC World has a series of articles on both bills as well:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/248298/sopa_and_pipa_just_the_facts.html
From my own perspective as a US citizen studying abroad, it is evident I have more research to do. It can be difficult to keep up with policy issues when you are living abroad. I commend these companies for taking a stand and alerting me to these issues. I will be reading up on both bills today and calling my representatives once I have determined my final view on these issues.
Reference:
Schwartz, D. (Jan. 18, 2012). Wikipedia limits service in privacy protest: Canada would feel the effects of proposed Stop Online Piracy Act. CBC. Retrieved: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/01/17/f-sopa-canada.html
For educators outside of the United States, the debate around SOPA will likely be significant as variations of this policy is likely to be replicated in both the European Union and the Commonwealth. In Canada where I am studying, a CBC report by Daniel Swartz (2012) As a result, I would encourage everyone to become more familiar with this policy. For more information about the online blackout, SOPA, and PIPA I would refer them to the following sites:
Wikipedia’ s position on SOPA and PIPA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more
PC World has a series of articles on both bills as well:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/248298/sopa_and_pipa_just_the_facts.html
From my own perspective as a US citizen studying abroad, it is evident I have more research to do. It can be difficult to keep up with policy issues when you are living abroad. I commend these companies for taking a stand and alerting me to these issues. I will be reading up on both bills today and calling my representatives once I have determined my final view on these issues.
Reference:
Schwartz, D. (Jan. 18, 2012). Wikipedia limits service in privacy protest: Canada would feel the effects of proposed Stop Online Piracy Act. CBC. Retrieved: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/01/17/f-sopa-canada.html
