As Senator Harry Reid took to Twitter today to reveal he would drop next week’s discussion of the Protect IP Act, his counterparts in Europe also distanced themselves from controversial anti-piracy measures.
Reid tweeted today: “In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday's vote on the PROTECT IP Act.” His statement was a signal that the legislation in its existing form is effectively dead.
But he later tweeted: “There's no reason that legitimate issues raised about PROTECT IP can't be resolved. Counterfeiting & piracy cost 1000s of #jobs yearly” and “Americans rightfully expect to be fairly compensated 4 their work. I'm optimistic that we can reach compromise on PROTECT IP in coming weeks.”
In Europe, Commissioner Neelie Kroes tweeted: “Glad tide is turning on #SOPA: don't need bad legislation when should be safeguarding benefits of open net.”
She added: “Speeding is illegal too: but you don't put speed bumps on the motorway,” and said: “my view is that internet regulation must be effective, proportionate & preserve benefits of open net.”
Fellow EU Commissioner Michel Barnier later tweeted: “We need to review enforcement in #Europe; need more solid legal certainty for #online providers and consumers.”