Reddit Users Fight SOPA Lawmaker, MPAA Exec Joins Internet Society

  • A group of Reddit users have formed a political action committee called TestPAC to campaign against Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), an author of the Stop Online Piracy Act. Thus far, they have raised $10,000 towards a $25,000 goal.
  • “I would say that our biggest concern is removing Lamar Smith from Congress, due to the fact that he has made it clear he would rather listen to corporate entertainment rather than his constituents,” explains Jerome Whalen, TestPAC chair. “We want to make TestPAC a campaign for national awareness for the rights of Americans in the digital age.”
  • In related news, former chief technology policy officer for the MPAA, Paul Brigner is now head of the North America sector of the non-profit Internet Society, an entity against the SOPA legislation.
  • Brigner has changed camps on the controversial piracy proposal, saying, “I firmly believe that we should not be legislating technological mandates to protect copyright — including SOPA and Protect IP.”
  • In a statement posted to CNET, Brigner added: “The more I became educated on the realities of these issues, the more I came to the realization that a mandated technical solution just isn’t mutually compatible with the health of the Internet.”
  • Hollywood is far from giving up on the bills, according to MPAA chief Christopher Dodd who feels confident that President Obama will advance the measure using his strong relationships with both Hollywood and Silicon Valley. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, another SOPA ally, said it will also remain dedicated to working with Congress on the issue.

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