Acts SOPA and PIPA could cut off Placer students from information on the internet, censoring them from any kind of copyright infringement, affecting them socially and limiting them from information.

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) in short, gives the ability to Government and Corporations to shut down any websites that contain copyright infringement, not just in theU.S., but globally.

PIPA (Protect IP Act) in short, allows the Government and Corporations to take legal action against websites seen containing any copyright infringement. Also has the potential to be enforced globally.

Copyright infringement can be anything from the copy of a movie, using music in the background of a video, or posting a picture that is not yours.

Google and Wikipedia have shown displays of disagreement with the acts. Google exhibited such feelings by putting a censor bar over their menu and offering information by clicking on the logo. And Wikipedia shut down completely for a day to show what it would be like if the internet was censored.

“A lot of people don’t know,” said Emily Browning, a senior at Placer, when asked about her opinion on the subject.

“It’s against freedom of speech and expression,” added Stephen Briles, a Placer student whose hobby is computers. “A lot of people don’t even see piracy as steeling because it’s open to everyone and nothing is taken away.”

“It can be proved unconstitutional simply because of freedom of speech.” said the Placer County Youth Commission Vice President and Coalition for Placer Youth Student Adviser, Brandon Barry.

Is there a fight between law and the constitution and Placer students don’t even know? What about the limiting of information in this day in age?

“A lot of infringed websites would be shutdown, like Wikipedia. I wouldn’t have as many resources to go to.” said Briles. “Their trying to stop piracy, but their going too far,”

There is a fear that these acts would make Google censor their searches and shutdown websites like Wikipedia, YouTube, Grooveshark, and even Facebook. Doing this would cut off allU.S.inhabitance from a mass amount of knowledge and social abilities.

Students’ feelings include, “Unfair, and it wouldn’t be supported by the people. The only people in support would be big businesses.” Barry. “I’d be sad.” added Browning.

Another act that no one seemingly knows about is ACTA. The Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which is an international agreement that has been in the making since 2007. It was built for physical items but caries over to the internet.

The information on these acts is constantly changing. For a better understanding just Google it, while you still can.