Late last night the hacktivist collective known as Anonymous began targeting the US Chamber of Commerce for its support of the controversial “Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011.”The “PROTECT IP Act,” as it’s better known would give the DOJ and copyright holders additional tools against copyright infringing websites. In the case of a DOJ-initiated suit, the Attorney General can force US based third-parties, including ISPs, payment processors, online advertising network providers, and search engines to either block access the site or cease doing business with it. A copyright holder-initiated suit is limited to payment processors and online advertising network providers.
The problem for many is that it would result in censorship without the right to due process as it allows the DOJ and copyright holders to obtain court orders before accused sites have had a chance to defend themselves in court. Sites could be seized and services suspended simply based on the one-sided arguments proffered by the DOJ or copyright holders.
The US Chamber of Commerce has been outspoken about its support for the “PROTECT IP Act.” It believes the legislation is necessary to “cut of rogue sites” and protect US jobs.
“The Internet, like all marketplaces, needs rules to protect people from fraud and theft,” said Thomas J. Donohue [pictured], president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, after the bill was introduced.
”The PROTECT IP Act is a balanced approach that will help crack down on truly rogue sites while facilitating the continued growth of the Internet as a safe, vibrant marketplace.”
Anonymous managed to take the site – uschamber.com – down for a while, but at the time of writing this the site is back up.
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