A
dangerously misguided Florida bill would forbid websites from
operating anonymously just because they meet a vague definition of
disseminating “commercial recordings”—and it's headed for a
vote this
week.
Supporters of the “True Origin of
Digital Goods Act” say it's about “piracy,” but it would actually
have disastrous consequences for anonymous online speech both inside
and outside the state. Anybody operating a website that is even
“likely to” host music or videos “directly or
indirectly,”—even their own music or videos—could
be ordered to reveal their name and address.
This new law isn't just unnecessary to
enforce federal copyright or trademark laws—it also creates a new
avenue for legal abuse. Anyone “aggrieved” by an anonymous
website owner could take that owner to court, without having to show
legal harm.
Anonymous speech is a vital
part of the American free speech tradition, and of the
rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Artists, writers, and
citizens rely on the freedom to speak anonymously through blogs,
independent news sites, amateur video and music, and other websites
and services. They rely on anonymity to voice unpopular opinions and
speak truth to power without fear of harassment or reprisals at work
or at home.
If you're in Florida, act now to tell
your lawmakers: don't sacrifice anonymous speech at the altar of
vague anti-piracy policy. Vote no on “True Origins of Digital Goods
Act,” HB271 in the House and SB604 in the Senate.
From the Electronic Frontier Foundation's site - www.eff.org
And, an email from Fight for the Future states:
Florida
state legislature has introduced two related bills - HB 271 and SB
604 - otherwise known as the “True Origin of Digital Goods Act”
(TODGA).[1]
Supporters
say the bills will curb online piracy. But really this is about
online censorship. Just imagine having to put your home address on
all of your websites that contain streaming content? Are you
kidding??
Unfortunately
TODGA is no joke. If the act become law, any website that has
commercial streaming content will be legally required to post their
owner’s true name and contact information on the site or risk being
taken down.[2]
When
Congress tries to pass SOPA/PIPA and CISPA, we stop them every time.
Now they’re trying to sneak similar bills under the radar at the
state level. We are smarter than that.
Please sign the petition to stop Florida’s“True Origins of Digital Goods Act”, and share this petition with your friends.
-Susan, Evan, Holmes, Tiffiniy, Jessica, Vasjen, Charlie and Jeff
Fight for the Future
[2]
Electronic Future Foundation. Stop Florida’s Unconstitutional Plan
to Outlaw Anonymous Speech. EFF
website. https://act.eff.org/action/stop-florida-s-unconstitutional-plan-to-outlaw-anonymous-speech (Note:
EFF’s article was written when Florida tried to pass the same bills
last year. Thankfully the 2014 bills failed. Let’s make sure the
same thing happens in 2015.)
[3]
Florida Legislature Considering SOPA/PIPA-like bills. The Internet
Association http://internetassociation.tumblr.com/post/115035123138/florida-legislature-considering-sopa-pipa-like
Come on Florida - We don't want to be Flori-DUH - sign the petition and donate. This is important.
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