Changes

'''Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)''' or '''H.R. 3261''' is a bipartisan bill introduced at the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee by Congressman '''[[Lamar Smith]]''' (R-Texas) and co-sponsored by 31 other Representatives including '''John Conyers''' (D-Mich.), '''Bob Goodlatte''' (R-Va.) and '''Howard Berman''' (D-Calif.) on June 26, 2011.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/house-introduces-internet-piracy-bill/2011/10/26/gIQA0f5xJM_blog.html House introduces Internet piracy bill]</ref> The bill aims to promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes such as intellectual property rights  protection of U.S. businesses particularly in the film, music and software industry against online piracy and counterfeiting.<ref>[http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/112%20HR%203261.pdf The Bill-H.R. 3261]</ref>  

'''Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)''' or '''H.R. 3261''' is a bipartisan bill introduced at the United States House of Representatives by   Congressman '''[[Lamar Smith]],''' House Judiciary Committee Chairman  and co-sponsored by 31 other Representatives including '''John Conyers''' (D-Mich.), '''Bob Goodlatte''' (R-Va.) and '''Howard Berman''' (D-Calif.) on June 26, 2011.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/house-introduces-internet-piracy-bill/2011/10/26/gIQA0f5xJM_blog.html House introduces Internet piracy bill]</ref> The bill aims to promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes such as intellectual property rights  protection of U.S. businesses particularly in the film, music and software industry against online piracy and counterfeiting.<ref>[http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/112%20HR%203261.pdf The Bill-H.R. 3261]</ref>

 

A legislative hearing was conducted by the House Judiciary Committee on November 16, 2011 to examine the various issues related to proposed Stop Online Piracy Act.<ref>[http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/hear_11162011.html Committee on the Judiciary-Hearing Information]</ref> According to the statement released by Cong. Lamar Smith, is not targeting technology but it is concentrated on ''"preventing those who engage in criminal behavior from reaching directly into the U.S. market to harm American consumers."'' He pointed out that ''"protecting America’s intellectual property will help the country's economy, create jobs, and discourage illegal websites."''<ref>[http://judiciary.house.gov/news/Statement%20HR%203261.html Statement of Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith Hearing on H.R. 3261, the “Stop Online Piracy Act”]</ref>

   

   

==Provisions==

==Provisions==