Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Speaks Out Against SOPA
The King of Social Mark Zuckerberg has spoken on the SOPA topic, and it was mediocre.
On Blackout Day, Facebook hasn't grown dark, it hasn't posted links to external information, and it hasn't thrown up an image shooting Washington the middle finger. Instead, Facebook has posted its stance on the whole SOPA debate. In a nutshell, Facebook doesn't think the legislation currently being considered by Congress is the right solution to defeating piracy.
"PROTECT IP and SOPA could create very real problems for Internet companies like ours that are a primary driver of innovation, growth, and job creation in the 21st century economy," Facebook states. "The bills contain overly broad definitions and create a new private cause of action against companies on the basis of those expansive definitions, which could seriously hamper the innovation, growth, and investment in new companies that have been the hallmarks of the Internet. In addition, we are concerned about provisions in the bills that could chill free expression or weaken the Internet’s architecture."
The Facebook entity goes on to say that it's been engaging in a constructive dialogue with content creators and trademark owners on the most effective ways to combat piracy. The public address also offers a way for users to report IP infringement, or rather, to tattle on someone who might be using copyrighted material incorrectly. However Facebook Mark Zuckerberg actually posted a statement on his profile page, a two-paragraph message that briefly outlines Facebook's stance.
"The internet is the most powerful tool we have for creating a more open and connected world," he writes. "We can't let poorly thought out laws get in the way of the internet's development. Facebook opposes SOPA and PIPA, and we will continue to oppose any laws that will hurt the internet."
He goes on to say that the world today needs political leaders who are pro-internet. "We have been working with many of these folks for months on better alternatives to these current proposals," he added. "I encourage you to learn more about these issues and tell your congressmen that you want them to be pro-internet."
For more information on Facebook's situation of the SOPA and PIPA drama, head here.
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I doubt he really cares either way, idk I just get the feeling he is saying that for positive attention, it seems bit late to announce where you stand when others are already participating in boycotting the legislation.
yay... FB late to the party, and taking a very reserved/somber position over it. Typical.
A FB blackout would have been HUGE in terms of anti-SOPA push. but no, Zuckerberg didn't want to lose some of the sponsors to whom he sells public information. So, you have this low-moderate statement and that is it.
I think Zuckerberg is the one who deserves the middle fingers mentioned in the beginning of the article.
I doubt he really cares either way, idk I just get the feeling he is saying that for positive attention, it seems bit late to announce where you stand when others are already participating in boycotting the legislation.
I think the only reason he made a stance is because everyone else keeps buzzing about it and wanted Facebook to take a stance on the issue.
THE GUY AND HIS FAKEBOOK IS THE OTHER HALF OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INTERNET....A LITERAL CLEARINGHOUSE FOR EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU .
FB IS AN ORWELLIAN MONSTER
No matter your feelings toward Facebook, or Zuckerberg, at least note that Facebook has been against SOPA for quite a while now.
Also, like them or hate them, they are at least a powerful voice against SOPA, and anyone against SOPA is a good guy right now... at least in my humble opinion.
Facebook is the C.I.A.'s wet dream....
Follow the money you may raise an eyebrow...
Stealing movies is wrong, but stealing everyone's information is ok.
So just because Zuckerberg didn't blackout Facebook, his well constructed and pretty strong stance against it is considered "mediocre" to the author of this article? Somebody has a biased opinion of Facebook and the founder. I'm not fond of the guy either, but really? Oh well, Tom's Hardware authors aren't exactly notorious for being neutral anyway.
At least he is putting his effort into something other that keeping all other "Mark Zuckerbergs" from using Facebook.
+1
blacked-out Facebook 48-hour
Actually Facebook took their stance long before the majority of the public even knew what SOPA/PIPA was. And he also did the right thing by not taking down facebook. Why on earth would you want to censor over 500 million users, so they can express their concern and negativity towards the bill. Remember last year when the Egyptian Government ordered Facebook to be taken down so the government could launch its Koo? Piss off a few people and know one hears, make a 100 million facebook users pissed beyond belief, someone notices.
Stealing movies is wrong, but stealing everyone's information is ok.
They can only take what you volunteer to them.
meh, if facebook blacks out, they lose advertising, if they dont and it passes, they are out of business, not because we stop using it, but because they cant keep facebook the same and not lose most of their users.
For being a techie I'm quite surprised Mark doesn't follow tech conventions and capitalize Internet when referring to "the Web". -Sorry, it's just the geek in me. Guess I just naturally understand the technical distinction between the Internet and an internet.
It should be a non-issue. Current copyright laws protect copywritten materials already.
SOPA just expands the commie powers of the ruling class giving them the authority to shut down or censor anything they want to without just cause. Obama's already begun the process. Anyone in the press who speaks out directly against him loses their job.
As the world becomes increasingly indebted to the Chinese, we will see the commie philosophy begin to pervade of our lives. This all in the name of short-term profits for executives.
Stealing movies is wrong, but stealing everyone's information is ok.
Stealing movies is wrong, but stealing a concept for a brand new social network 8 years ago was ok.
Facebook is against SOPA because SOPA would close facebook
enough said
I blacked out Facebook almost a year ago after being on since 2004. I'd recommend everyone do the same.
Facebook didn't need to blackout like wiki did but they should have done something rather than nothing. Make it known what SOPA/PIPA will do to our internet of which Facebook is a huge part of (albeit one I don't use). Facebook should have gotten info moving, switch some of the ads and crap with anti-SOPA/PIPA especially considering if either bill gets passed Facebook could be in trouble.
I'm just saying that Facebook doesn't seem to be active enough to stop something that could destroy it.