So we got some more corporate BS as a Christmas present this year - Protect IP and SOPA. What it basically means is that it would allow the corporations to easily and quickly remove a target website from DNS (which means that you can't access the website via its standard web address).
See more information a
short video or more detailed information in a
longer video.
This legislative change is currently being discussed in the US and will be applied to US only. However, should it be implemented it would effect the whole world for two reasons:
1 - the legislative change could easily be adapted in other countries as well, because corporations have a very long reach unfortunately
2 - it can effect non-US websites if they lose US visitors
Most endangered targets by this change would be small independent websites such as we. Last time we had issues with WotC and "their" pictures we got away with only removing them and informing them. After this change we could very easily end up in having our DNS removed without a chance to defend ourselves.
Free entertainment websites are most endangered - even if they are using copyrighted content under fair use, they are repeatedly targeted by copyright holders. This change would make it even worse.
Right now, only US citizens are able to fight against it. So please support adjustments or cancellation of this legislative change via your representatives. Unfortunately, the rest of us can only monitor the situation right now.