Chamber of Commerce Backs Outrageous Internet Bill

Written by Taylor A. Barnette, Editor-in-Chief

Moderate/Independent - opinion

A month ago, I alerted PCULPA readers to COICA (Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act). Following a massive outpouring of constituent anger, Americans helped convince Congress to table the bill until the 112th Congress convenes. But the fight is far from over, and with the support of a powerful lobbyist group, lovers of freedom could lose the battle completely.

Let me remind readers about our dear friend COICA. The bill would allow the Attorney General's office and the courts to draft lists of websites deemed in violation of copyright law. ISP's would then be legally required to block those sites. The bill defines "violation" very loosely; moreover, many websites, such as YouTube, routinely experience copyright infringement. Yet this is a violation committed by the users, not the site, which explicitly bans such action, even while providing a free and open platform for the sharing of privately owned media. Nevertheless, such sites could still be placed on a federal blacklist. Perhaps especially alarming, however, is the fact the decisions of the COICA-crowned "gatekeepers" of the internet would experience little oversight, a violation of our nation's principle of checks and balances. Conceivably, then, COICA could be used to achieve unscrupulous political ends.

Despite the clear danger COICA poses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently sent a letter demanding that the Senate bring the bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote once Congress reconvenes. Why should one organization's support induce me to write a polemic against them? Because the Chamber, a powerful lobbyist organization, holds a great deal of sway in Congress. This year alone, the CoC spent over $75 million on campaign contributions. What the Chamber wants, the Chamber stands a good chance of getting, so there is a real danger here of COICA becoming U.S. law.

But what can be done?

Aaron Swartz, who co-founded the successful online petition to stop COICA with Rep. David Segal, is now asking Americans to pressure businesses and local chambers into quitting their involvement with the CoC. Without the support of these institutions, the Chamber loses a great deal of its potency. So, if you care about your internet liberties, then please send a letter to your local chamber, via Aaron Swartz's  demandprogress.org, and inform them of your displeasure with the Chamber's policies. Already, business like Apple and Exelon have quit the CoC due to its antiquated (and tyrannical, I would say) practices. Americans ought to ensure that such moves become a trend. To send your letter, click here.

Remember, without exerting the power of a concerned citizenry, COICA may very well become reality. Call and write your senator and President Obama, and inform your friends and colleagues, that this bill has no place in our republic.