Democratic leadership, Sens. Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin finally catch a clue. (Yuri Gripas/Reuters)
Here's a temporary victory for the internet and all of us who use it; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has
postponed the vote on PIPA, originally scheduled for next Tuesday. His statement:
“In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday’s vote on the PROTECT I.P. Act.
“There is no reason that the legitimate issues raised by many about this bill cannot be resolved. Counterfeiting and piracy cost the American economy billions of dollars and thousands of jobs each year, with the movie industry alone supporting over 2.2 million jobs. We must take action to stop these illegal practices. We live in a country where people rightfully expect to be fairly compensated for a day’s work, whether that person is a miner in the high desert of Nevada, an independent band in New York City, or a union worker on the back lots of a California movie studio.
“I admire the work that Chairman Leahy has put into this bill. I encourage him to continue engaging with all stakeholders to forge a balance between protecting Americans’ intellectual property, and maintaining openness and innovation on the internet. We made good progress through the discussions we’ve held in recent days, and I am optimistic that we can reach a compromise in the coming weeks.”
It doesn't mean the issue is dead and gone; Hollywood is far too powerful to give this one up. But it does buy time for the other side—high tech, Internet users, the millions of constituents these Senators supposedly represent—to educate policymakers. It gives those policymakers a chance to get on the right side of history.
Thanks to everyone who contacted their Senators. You helped make this happen.
7:10 AM PT: You can also thank Sen. Ron Wyden, who was responsible for sounding the alarm bell on this bad legislation and fighting it in the Senate.