It is indeed good news, but this isn't over yet. Stay alert and keep watching for more news!

I think Maze already said something like this, but even if these particular bills are 'dead' or 'defeated,' that doesn't mean something else like them won't come up again in the future. That's just the way that people with power work; they may retreat for a while, but eventually, someone will probably try again. There are people who want these bills and what they do to be enstated, even though they are unnecessary, and there are already laws that protect copyrighted material online. It doesn't matter. People need to always be vigilant about these things, and when it comes to something like this, it sounds like people generally are. That's a good thing, and encouraging to me.

A law didn't pass and yet being implemented is already against to any constitution. We should inform the international community, or if possible, the International Criminal Court about this. They have big cases like the Bosnian Genocide, etc. right now, but it's worth a shot to give them a bang on their walls.

What they did with the Megaupload brains is already a sign. If many of them got arrested for the same reason, it is the time for us to act. Do you agree on that, Shirowolf?

Eh, any international court doesn't really have a place here, and can't really do anything about this anyway. Overall, I think that's a good thing. However, I think that a lot of people in this country are definitely appreciative of international support! While sites in other countries may not be effected per se, because the Feds can't take those sites down, since people do work with each other across national lines, the effects of these bills can spread, and people in other countries can feel the blow, I think.

 Well, again, I feel conflicted about what happened to Megaupload. If there were actual criminals working there who were breaking the law and committing the crimes they have  been charged with, I think yeah, they should be tried and probably sent to prison. I don't have a problem with that.

  Take a look at this-- http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/megaupload-back-high-tech-whack-mole/st...

    "The Justice Department unsealed an indictment Thursday charging Megaupload's founder Kim Dotcom, a.k.a. Kim Schmitz, and six of his associates with participating in a conspiracy that involved racketeering, money laundering and copyright infringement....The federal indictment alleges that Megaupload and a shell company associated with the company caused an estimated half-billion dollars in copyright losses and made an estimated $175 million in proceeds." 

     Chances are, the investigation was going on for some time, and these are serious charges. A defense attorney for Megaupload stated "Megaupload believes the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend itself." That's....about all we can say for now, until more about this comes out.

    As I've also said, what really bothered me was the site totally being taken down by the Department of Justice. The CEO of Megaupload is evidently not part of the string of charges, so...I don't know, can't he still make sure the site is up and running at least in some form? I'm not sure why that isn't being allowed. perhaps there is a legitimate reason; we really don't know. While that is bothersome, I do also understand because this is an ongoing case, there probably isn't much information that can be publicly disclosed. That's just the way criminal investigations go. So...yeah, I feel conflicted about this. There's just a lot we don't know.

    I'm...not sure what you mean by 'taking action;' what...is it you want to do, or what do you otherwise mean?

Yes, I did. It wouldn't be the first time. Several years ago some controversial anti monopolist deregulation was tacked on to the end of an innocuous Energy bill when it left committee. Congress was about to break and it passed because people wanted to leave and go on their vacations. A lot of the legislators who signed off on it didn't even know just what it was they were signing off on. It was a bit of a scandal at the time. If Big Biz wants legislation like SOPA and PIPA passed, Imma bet they will get it in some form eventually.

They'll keep trying, I'm sure; I just hope people stay vigilant enough to see it, and know it, and never stop speaking out to stop things like this.

They've been trying to censor the internet since 2001 and it still hasn't been successful. Like talk radio, it's protected under the constitution. Maybe not AS much because there's many things on the internet. But I dare them to try their best to get the internet as censored as they wish for it because when that happens, there will be riots and a revolution will follow. It's something the US needs because the government is getting worse every year. The people shouldn't fear its government, the government should fear its people.

Please don't hate me.  But I think the owner of Megaupload over did it.  He was becoming rich by providing a way for people to share things they don't own.  Don't get me wrong I think the record and movie industry are also terrible but this guy was making big bucks with this which is wrong.  I'm all for sharing but not making a profit of it.  That to me truly is stealing.

   I doubt anyone here hates you for that. ;P

   No, it does sound like there were some legitimate reasons to go after them, whether most people, fans/users want to actually admit it or not. Dotcom is also clearly an asshole, although that's not a reason to arrest him, of course. It makes me feel a bit less sorry for him though.

   So, yeah, like I've said, if these guys were actually committing crimes, well then, there you go, they should probably serve time. But like I also said, the real problem I have with all of this is a goverrnment agency just coming in and tearing the whole thing down. All of it. Users can't even talk to each other there anymore; there's nothing. Is there a reason at all why something temporary and simple can't be set up that allows users to at least log in, and talk to each other, or something? Maybe there is, but I don't see a reason why not. And yet, that evidently is not allowed. I'm still conflicted about this story, and things about it do still bother me.