Gillibrand Responds To Criticism Of PIPA Legislation

Utica, NY (WIBX) - After facing mounting criticism and protests from websites like Wikipedia and Google, Senator Kristin Gillibrand, a co-sponsor of PIPA, or Protect IP Act, says she has worked to make an important change to the bill. The adjustment addresses the DNS (Domain Name System) provisions. According to the New York Republican State Committee, the DNS provision would fundamentally change the make up of the internet. The group warns that the bill would also allow the government to block public access to thousands of websites, "the way China and North Korea do."

Gillibrand argues that the bill's aim is not to stifle or censor the internet, but to allow continued freedom of expression on the web and have the ability to block online piracy. A joint statement to WIBX from Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer states, "There are two important issues in this debate: continued freedom of expression on the Internet and the ability to block online piracy. We believe that both sides can come together on a solution that satisfies their respective concerns.

We've had many discussions and held many meetings with all parts of the Internet community, from users, to members of the NY Tech Meet-up, to start-ups, to big Internet firms like Google, Facebook, and Yahoo, to hear their concerns regarding this proposed legislation, and we'll continue those discussions.

After constructive dialogue with many in the technology community, we have worked to make an important change in the bill regarding DNS provisions. We will continue to work with our colleagues to ensure a proper balance between stopping the theft of intellectual property and copyright infringement, and doing so without the unintended consequence of stifling or censoring the internet, which we strongly oppose. We have worked to make sure there are due process protections to ensure that legal activity over the Internet is not disrupted and that the web continues to be a place of innovation, intellectual freedom, and an unrestricted platform for the free exchange of ideas -- and we welcome additional suggestions. While the threat to tens of thousands of New York jobs due to online piracy is real and must be addressed, it must be done in a way that allows the Internet and our tech companies to continue to flourish."