TFL joining the blackout to protest SOPA and PIPA
I'm sure most folks have heard by now that tomorrow many websites [1] will be "blacking out" in protest of SOPA and PIPA, a pair of bills that the US Congress is debating that would drastically change the way internet sites are regulated. The Fresh Loaf will be participating too [2], though I'm wimping out a bit by letting folks continue through to the real site after they experience the STOP SOPA splash screen.
I don't want to politicize this site, but there is pretty clear consensus on both sides of the aisle that SOPA and PIPA would do irreparable harm to internet sites like TFL [3]. This site has never been in the business of making money of "piracy," but occasionally folks have shared or linked to copyrighted material here, which I remove as quickly as it is brought to my attention.
My understanding is that SOPA would make me legally liable for damages if any copyrighted material was posted here even if I was unaware of it or took it down as soon I noticed it. Could I continue to let the community self-moderate itself under such legal framework? I'm not sure I could. Would this site continue to thrive if every post or comment had to be pre-screened? Probably not.
Please consider taking a moment to inform yourself about SOPA and PIPA [4] and contacting your congressperson or senator to let them know that you are against these bills.
Thank you for your support.
-Floyd