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What if you got up this morning and Bargain Blessings was gone? There are currently two proposed internet censorship bills that could cause that to be the reality should they be passed through congress. They are called SOPA and PIPA and they would effectively change the internet as we know it today. Websites like Bargain Blessings would be shut down and website owners (like me) could be considered felons for posting they type of deals and money saving tips that I share with you daily.
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.
To protest these two acts, many websites will be shutting down completely today. While Bargain Blessings will not be shutting down, this post will remain at the top of the website today to urge anyone who values the information you find here to take action.
It is absolutely crucial that we demonstrate our opposition to these bills. Please take a moment today to let Congress know you oppose SOPAa dn PIPA. Look up your senators’ numbers and call them. Or send a message expressing your opposition. Working together, we can protect our First Amendment rights.
Courtney says
I signed a petition, sent a letter, made three calls and am promoting public knowledge about this. The government is over stepping bounds left and right, they are taking away the bill of rights quietly, sneakily and illegally. They think we as citizens will sit idly by because we have been. Stand up for your rights, stand up for your country. Say no to this. It will be the first of many acts designed to deprive yourself of your rights as an American and ruin this country for our children. Just say no.
Hazel says
Thanks much for the update – but this isn’t over. There’s always so much more to the theory behind the “nudge”. Seems like stifling the net has taken so many forms over the past fear years it’s hard to know which form to watch for next.
eek, is that a wolf in that there sheeps clothes?
Keep the faith 🙂
Beth says
Thank you for the update Jennie!
I will do everything I can do save Bargain blessings!
Love this site and am thankful for all you do.
Jennie says
This is great news! https://mashable.com/2012/01/18/pipa-sopa-abandon-bill/?mid=5812
Ioana Barrie says
WOW! I hope that this bill doesn’t pass because I use facebook to keep in contact with my Romanian brother. I love getting good deals and I don’t know what I would do without the blogs to tell me what is on sale every week!!!
Anon says
As a blogger myself, SOPA is just plain wrong. It is a bill that was created by government officials who have no clue about the impacts. While their intentions may be correct (I agree that stealing is wrong), this bill goes far far beyond just protecting images, music and movies. If the mashable article that Jennie posted a link to does not explain it for you, I’m not sure what will.
Many retailers encourage us bloggers to use their product images, logos etc, so you cannot just assume that because you see a logo or product picture it is copyright infringement.
Nicole says
This bill is against copyright infringement – not exactly censorship. Copyright infringement is theft. If sites are violating copyright law then I think they should get shut down. You can’t justify taking someone’s freedom (copyright) because your freedom (1st Ammendment) seems more important.
Jennie says
Did you happen to get a chance to read the Mashable article? I’m sorry that you feel that Barain Blessings (and just about every other website online) should be shut-down. I do not agree with that. I do agree that copyright infringement is wrong and is theft, however this bill does cross the line by difining “copyright infringement” as pretty much anything anyone wants call it out as. Just becuase someone says the sky is green…that does not mean it should be taken as fact.
Hazel says
Nor do I.
This octopuss has more tentacles than what are counted on the outer layer and the underlying aspects / undefineable vagueties are endless.
(head shake) Wakey, Wakey!
Jennifer via Facebook says
Sadly, there are supporters on both sides of the aisle. Contact your government reps if you want to continue enjoy all the different aspects of the internet… including finding out about awful legislation like this! https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
Nicole says
What parts of this website violates copyright infringement??? If those practices are happening I think parts should be shut down. You cannot take someone’s freedom (copyright) by saying your freedom counts more (1st Ammendment).
Jennie says
Nicole~ The point is that the bill is so poorly worded that “copyright infringement” could include any of the following:
~Posting a link to a valid coupon.
~Posting a store’s logo on deal match-ups.
~Posting coupon match-ups for any store.
~Posting a picture of a pack of Huggies along with a Huggies coupon.
~Pictures of products from any retailer’s website.
~Linking to a video on YouTube.
~Linking to something on Facebook.
~A comment left by a reader on Bargain Blessings.
The List could go on and on and on.
Websites like Google, Wikipedia, Facebook and You Tube are also in danger of being shut-down.
This protest is not about copyright infringement and allowing it or now allowing it. The protest is about handing over to the government the right to shut ANY website down, without trial.
This atricle does an amazing job at explaining it: https://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-dangerous-opinion/
One part in this article to note:
“This bill turns us all into criminals. If it passes, then you either stop using the Internet, or you simply hope that you never end up in the crosshairs, because if you’re targeted, you will be destroyed by this bill. You don’t have to be a big, mean, nasty criminal — common Internet usage is effectively criminalized under this law. This bill will kill American innovation and development of the Internet, as it will become too risky to do anything of value. It is toxic and dangerous, and should not, under any circumstances, be supported.”
If you are in support of this bill then unfortunately you are in favor of pretty much the entire internet being shut-down.
Nicole says
I’m not trying to defend the bill, but I think there are legitimate legal reasons the bill even exists. The fact is artists, companies, and businesses put a lot of time energy and money into their branding and products. The average internet user will never ask permission to use a copyrighted logo, product picture, or link. When you use those same copyright protected images to promote your business, even if you do it for “the greater good”, then you are stealing that image. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
I’m all for the internet, but used ethically. If you don’t own the image, don’t use the image.
Ria says
Nicole,
As simple as it can get, GOOGLE will no longer be legal. Can you imagine browsing without GOOGLE. I cant. So if someone shares a coupon, you cannot download it or use it. Same applies with images. There is not an argument of greater good or lesser good here. I dont think you seem to get the SOPA terms. There are rules existing to protect copyrighted contents which is called copy right law. Please GOOGLE SOPA, or wikipedia it. Opps wiki is down in support of Anti SOPA. 🙂
Cindy via Facebook says
Too much regulation takes away our freedoms. Period. These groups need to stop trying to control EVERY thing. These bills cannot and should not be passed! I’m confident the conservatives in Congress will vote against it.
Hazel says
Alas, this is coming down the pike. I’ll spare y’all my soapbox rant.
Kris Kringle still had ways of getting the toys to the children despite the Burgermeister Meisterburger.
You’ve taught us well, sunshine … we will be the key.