DavisWiki Goes Dark in Protest of SOPA

Massive websites like Wikipedia and Reddit have gone dark today as part of a protest against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). The latter is supported by Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinsten.

On Tuesday afternoon, DavisWiki and KDVS formally got behind the protest as well.

What is SOPA/PIPA?

If SOPA were passed, it would expand the ability of the government and copyright holders to fight piracy online. Those copyright holders would be able to go after websites that they feel are fostering copyright infringement.

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, Reddit, DavisWiki and many others (including Davis Patch) would likely be affected. These sites all thrive on user-generated content, much of which could put the websites at risk when the time comes to decide if/when copyright privileges have been infringed upon. Sponsors of the bill say it could help thwart piracy, but Web experts warn that it could threaten the functionality of the Internet and violate free speech. 

For a more detailed explanation, read this story and watch the video within this article. Many people have taken action against the bill here.  

Full Disclosure: Davis Patch is a part of the Huffington Post Media Group and AOL, both of which have taken a formal stance against SOPA and PIPA. 

DavisWiki Goes Dark

Wiki users discussed the blackout heavily Tuesday afternoon and into the evening. Here are some of the comments that ultimately led to the purely user-generated site’s decision to black out:

• “SOPA is a bit of legislative insanity. Anything that brings attention to that fact is a good thing in my mind.”
• “It's certainly a vital matter. I just would like to hear opinions on Twitter's non-participatory stance.” (Twitter did not blackout)
• “My understanding is that Twitter will be participating in some form tomorrow, though not a blackout. Similarly, Google will be participating with a link on their home page.” (Google changed its logo and added a link in support).
• “I'm terrified of a day without the internet, so that's a big definitely.”
• “I can't say I'm in favor of blacking out. Do we do this for EVERY Internet-based bill that comes up around the globe now? The precedent being set here is not good for the internet. At what proposal do we NOT 'show solidarity' then?”
• “In favor of the blackout.”

Visit DavisWiki today to see the blackout page. The Wiki has also asked people to send photos of themselves with SOPA/PIPA protest signs, like this one. You can send them to daviswiki@gmail.com or tweet them to @daviswiki.

Rebecca MacKinnon -- an expert in Chinese Internet censorship -- will speak on campus at King Hall Wednesday at 4 p.m.