SOPA Is Back: Lamar Smith Says Markup To Resume In February

If you needed any more proof that SOPA isn’t really dead, just delayed, look no further. Despite calls that SOPA, for all intents and purposes, had been killed in the House of Representatives, t...
SOPA Is Back: Lamar Smith Says Markup To Resume In February
Written by Josh Wolford
  • If you needed any more proof that SOPA isn’t really dead, just delayed, look no further.

    Despite calls that SOPA, for all intents and purposes, had been killed in the House of Representatives, the truth was that the harmful legislation had simply been put on the backburner.

    Just ask Lamar Smith, SOPA author:

    Stop Online Piracy Act Markup to Resume in February

    House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today said that he expects the Committee to continue its markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act in February.

    Chairman Smith: “To enact legislation that protects consumers, businesses and jobs from foreign thieves who steal America’s intellectual property, we will continue to bring together industry representatives and Members to find ways to combat online piracy.

    “Due to the Republican and Democratic retreats taking place over the next two weeks, markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act is expected to resume in February.

    “I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to send a bipartisan bill to the White House that saves American jobs and protects intellectual property.”

    The language coming out of Eric Cantor’s camp last weekend that prompted the “SOPA is dead” cries made a point to say the SOPA could be resurrected when a consensus was reached.

    This is indeed a timely release from the congressman’s office, as we find ourselves on the eve of the internet-wide SOPA blackout. Wikipedia, reddit, and other sites will go dark for 24 hours. Google has announced that they will put up a link on their homepage voicing their opposition to SOPA and PIPA.

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