SOPA and PIPA Stalled, For Now

By Katie Parr

SOPA and PIPA Stalled, For Now

January 20, 2012 Updated Jan 20, 2012 at 3:02 PM CDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two acts that sparked protest with several Internet companies have been stalled on Capitol Hill.

For now, at least.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid announced Friday that the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) would be postponed in Congress.

Likewise, Lamar Smith, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, stated his panel would delay action on similar legislation called Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, according to MSNBC.com.

The bills aim to cut down on online piracy and curb access to overseas websites that promote piracy and counterfeit products, such as movies and music. However, there were fears that the legislation would shut down legitimate online businesses.

On his Facebook page, Congressman Aaron Schock said the move to stall the acts in the House and Senate is good news.

Legislators agree that there needs to be wider agreement in Congress before the acts are seriously considered.

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