@Richard B I will be the first one to admit that while I want to read the text of the SOPA/PIPA bills, I have not had time to do so. Hence this comment (which is not meant as an ironclad end-all, just my opinion) is based only on what I've heard. As far as I know, the laws are designed to stop piracy and copyright infringement. I'm all for supporting IP ownership. The laws are sound in concept.
However (this is where things go downhill), the law allows the entities behind it (technically the US Government, but really the MPAA/RIAA) to take down websites and cut funding to organizatios who are suspected of copyright infringement; suspected being the key word there. That means that websites and organizations can be paralyzed without fair trial. Those are near "1984" abilities we are granting our government and the private corporations "cattle-prodding" them forward.
Now, in a Utopia this would be fine. The government would never abuse its power. But we don't live in a Utopia. God knows the US government would never abuse it power. It's not like they've done so in the past. The government, like the MPAA/RIAA, will continue to do what it deems necessary to remain strong and economically stable. The problem is that what the government deems necesary may not always be in line with free speech or freedom in general.
That is what I believe is scary about SOPA/PIPA. We are giving free rein to censor the internet, which is inarguably the largest source of information in the world. In a sense, we may be handing over the ability to control what we learn/know.
Once again, I have not yet read the bill itself. This is mostly based on what I've read in articles. If I'm wrong (and I very well may be), feel free to correct me. I have an open mind and am ready to learn.
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