Most of our readers will remember our SOPA/PIPA blackout in January. Destructoid was joined by little-known sites like Wikipedia to protest the twin bills SOPA and PIPA that were working their way through the US House and Senate.

Some of our readers may have also heard about a new bill called CISPA. Born from many of the same minds as SOPA/PIPA, CISPA is masquerading as a "cyber security" bill. The Entertainment Consumers Association, our primary legal defense, has called on gamers to step up and contact their Senators and tell them not to pass CISPA.

I spoke with president of the ECA, Hal Halpin, recently (we'll have the full interview up soon) and he believed that the biggest threat to consumers in the coming years was the power and determination of trade organizations bent on passing anti-piracy legislation that greatly curtails our civil liberties.

"As witnessed with SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, and now CISPA," says Halpin, "the movement by trade associations which represents the rights of companies in the movie, music, and games sectors is persistent and well-funded."

As of yesterday, the bill had made it through the House and although President Barack Obama has promised a veto, there's always a chance that Congress could override it. Better to stop it here, now.

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

Gorescream

OLD MEN, WARNING

tekbunny

They just can't let it go, can they? Maybe an encrypted ISP needs to come along here sooner than later...

Daniel Starkey

I <3 Deus Ex...

Serkderg the Herkderg

Don't like having to type in my home address before I can do anything. Kinda defeats the purpose of privacy.

Mr Andy Dixon

Can't wait to read the full interview, Starkey.

djnealb

Has the ESA said anything about CISPA yet one way or the other. I remember they backed SOPA/PIPA before a lot of backlash changed their minds

Daniel Starkey

Serkderg- it helps you find your local representatives.

Timboxxx

This seems topical even for a game from 1999.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY57ErBkFFE


Number 1. That's terror.

Xonticus

Looks like its time to get into Private VPNs again.

Alan Argentina

Gorescream

@OneRed

I don't know why but that picture makes me laugh

PalinRMA

Here we go again.

Achromatis

So basically this will amount to who gets sick of fighting first... the entertainment industries that plans years into the future and have millions of dollars to waste, or the consumers(lazy ass gamers who wont do anything but sign online petitions)...

Gee, I wonder whose going to win that one.

Timboxxx

@Achromatis

One of the advantages a republic has over other governments is you elect people to be vigilant for you. Of course if the average citizen can not be bothered to stand up and vote the system does not work.

People should be making mental lists of representatives that have both lost and gained their favor.

Achromatis

Yes, definitely. But another problem I find with the system of electing someone to represent you(Im Canadian, similar here) is that it discourages activity on the "voters" part, and it allows the elected persons to misrepresent the people. Bleh, I think EVERYTHING should be put to vote on by the people and not by elected officials.

Anyway, if any of you Americans wana be a bit more involved send some letters and emails. I care, since the Canadian government will bend over and do whatever the USA does because my county is full of idiots who keep electing fuckwads.

Use this: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/112-2012/h192

and this: http://whoismyrepresentative.com/

To tell your elected official what a fuckwad he is, lol.

Achromatis

(Probably be a bit more civil and dont actually use the term "fuckwad" if you want to get taken somewhat seriously)

Agent9

we need some

to kill cispa

but seriously we need to stop this. I have alredy sent emails and will continue to support the effor to stomp this out in any way i can

Agent9

*effort* sorry about that

Kyousuke Nanbu

Congrats needs a majority for overturn a veto, they don't have that, plus if you look at the nays its pretting telling since 90% of the dems are against while almost all GOP are for it.

I don't believe a word Obama says anymore but I don't think this will pass, tons of garbage pass the GOP controlled house only to be shot down in the senate, ultimately it all depends on the right payed off people I guess.

EAPidgeon

A Representative Democracy passing laws largely detrimental to the population? The same type of internet bill shot down in more then one country? Congressmen recieving almost total funding by the media? Nothing blatantly illegal or corrupt here.

StMcDuck

What's helping this happen is the Supreme Court's Citizens United rule, which states that corporations are people too, and money is free speech. That means corporations who could benefit from curtailing civil liberties just have to buy a few friends in Washington to have bills like CISPA drawn up to their liking.
This will keep happening until a Constitutional Amendment overturns the Supreme Court's ruling. Corporations are not people, and money is not free speech.

BWAJAJAJA

Here we go again!.....