R2D7

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Lawmakers in Washington, DC are attempting to ram through controversial changes to copyright law as part of a must-pass budget bill that will be voted on this week.1

Chip in to help stop rushed copyright changes that threaten Internet freedom.

One of the provisions could slap ordinary Internet users with up to $30,000 in fines for engaging in everyday activities like sharing a meme or downloading a photo.2

Fight for the Future was originally founded to help lead the massive online protests that stopped SOPA/PIPA, poorly written copyright legislation that would have led to widespread Internet censorship and suppression of creativity that depends on fair use.

We’ve seen time and time again that rushed changes to copyright based on draconian enforcement methods have dangerous implications for online free expression and human rights, and huge impacts on all Internet users, but especially streamers, gamers, and online creators.

Abusive DMCA takedowns are already out of control. We should absolutely be having crucial conversations about how to create a fair and just system that protects basic rights and ensures artists are compensated for their labor. But we can all agree that decisions this important should never be made in closed-door negotiations or tacked on to must-pass bills to avert a government shutdown.

We’re throwing everything we’ve got at Congress to stop this. We need to pay for text blasts and email sends, increase staff time on this issue, mobilize coalition partners and more. Will you chip in to help us cover the costs of this urgent work?

Thanks for all you do,

-Evan at Fight for the Future

Footnotes:

1. Tech Dirt: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20201201/10514145802/tis-season-congress-looks-to-sneak-unconstitutional-copyright-reform-bill-into-must-pass-spending-bill.shtml

2. EFF: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/12/we-have-one-day-tell-congress-not-bankrupt-internet-users

This is a red alert. Lawmakers in the pocket of giant corporations like Comcast and Sony are attempting to ram through dangerous changes to copyright law as part of a last-minute, must pass government spending bill.

One of the provisions would threaten online streamers with JAIL TIME for copyrighted content––the text isn’t even public yet (which is a huge problem in and of itself) but it appears frighteningly similar to some of the worst pieces of SOPA/PIPA, the Internet censorship bills that sparked the largest online protests in history.

Another could lead to ordinary Internet users facing $30,000 in fines for inadvertently sharing copyrighted content as part of everyday activities like posting memes, sharing videos, and downloading images.