The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) Stalls In Congress [Search Engine Land]

Perhaps the politicians need to spend some time during the end-of-year holiday weighing the opportunity cost of the net present value of contributions from content companies relative to the likely voter popularity hit, amid radical transparency, of voting to cripple the Internet

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee abruptly adjourned today without voting on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), a controversial measure that would impose radical new requirements on search engines, ISPs, ad networks and other key internet players. The hearings will resume “earliest practical day that Congress is in session” according to the chief sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex), but with the Congressional holiday recess imminent that could be weeks from now.

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If you’re involved with any type of online marketing, you should learn as much as you can about this proposed legislation, as the implications (mostly negative, unless you’re a large content provider or trademark holder) are huge.

Update from techdirt:

Or not. Despite the fact that Congress was supposed to be out of session until the end of January, the Judiciary Committee has just announced plans to come back to continue the markup this coming Wednesday. This is rather unusual and totally unnecessary. But it shows just how desperate Hollywood is to pass this bill as quickly as possible, before the momentum of opposition builds up even further.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) Stalls In Congress