Ten Strikes You're Out

[Action Alert] • The latest proposition threatening the way information is shared on the internet is the "Ten Strikes bill," a bill that proposes to redefine the the criminal acts of copyright violation by targeting streaming media, and establishes criminal penalties for copyright violation. 

The bill is aimed towards movies, music, television, and any other media that is streamed online. Streaming is the downloading of small amounts of information that are not kept on the computer for a long period of time. Virtually everyone on the internet views data through means of streaming. All Youtube videos are streaming, and any other videos you watch online. This is distinct from downloadable content that gets stored and saved on your computer, like torrents. 

The name "Ten Strikes" is somewhat self-defining; it refers to the provision which states that "10 or more public performances by electronic means, during any 180-day period, of 1 or more copyright works" is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 5 years. 

The bill targets and criminalizes thousands of Internet users that upload content using copyrighted material. A person uploading a cat video on Youtube with a copyrighted song in the background would be in violation of this rule, as would a karaoke video. 

These laws are created by people who lack understanding of the digital age, and the role intellectual property plays in the sharing of information. 

What can you do? You can contact your lawmakers using this form, and you can spread awareness through social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. 

For more information: http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/ten_strikes?akid=700.450896.5hVZPC&rd=1&t=1