Home Obama Administration Trying To Resurrect SOPA’s Streaming-Is-Felony Policies

Obama Administration Trying To Resurrect SOPA’s Streaming-Is-Felony Policies

Streamers of illegal content on the Internet, be aware: the government really wants to punish you for your malfeasance.

2012 was all about the common people of the Internet banding together to protest the possible enactment of the Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA). Faced with mounting opposition from voters and—more importantly—big business donors like Google, Congress back-pedaled the legislation.

But a new report from the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force wants to revive one key element of the former SOPA bill that’s sure to raise eyebrows among copyright watchers: streaming copyrighted works on the Internet would be considered a felony.

Copying and distributing copyrighted material (i.e., bootlegging or ripping) is already considered a felony. and streaming copyrighted material is punishable just as a misdemeanor, since it’s seen a violation of public performance rights.

This was a provision in the original SOPA bill, and now the Department of Commerce is exhuming it again, demonstrating for the umpteenth time the influence of Hollywood in the halls of Washington.

No legislation has been proposed from this report yet, but it will be something for which to keep an eye out in upcoming months.

Image courtesy Dusit/Shutterstock.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.