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Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

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Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#2
This HN title is inaccurate. There's no evidence that Microsoft or Apple actually supported SOPA. Merely an industry association of which they are members, supported it. This association removed its support.

A more appropriate title would be "Business Software Alliance withdraws support for SOPA."

I'm pretty sure most people on HN who know what SOPA is, know who the BSA is, and if not they'd learn it from reading the article.

I don't think its fair to imply that Microsoft or Apple (or any of the other BSA members) supported SOPA, as it seems likely the BSA was engaging in knee jerk support and didn't consult its membership.

I, personally, think the BSA should strongly opposes SOPA because it doesn't represent the interest of its member companies in the long run. But the title given here is just unfair.

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#3
I guess the question that gets immediately raised in my mind is: what the heck were these companies doing supporting the damned thing in the first place?

It's like the rats scattering when the light turns on. Is all of corporate America happy to support these egregious pieces of legislation as long as the public doesn't find out?

That last part was mostly rhetorical... mostly.

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#4
post #2

This HN title is inaccurate. There's no evidence that Microsoft or Apple actually supported SOPA. Merely an industry association of which they are members, supported it. This association removed its support. A more appropriate title would be "Business Software Alliance withdraws support for SOPA." I'm pretty sure most people on HN who know what SOPA is, know who the BSA is, and if not they'd learn it from reading the…

I'm not saying you're wrong, but why then was the "Business Software Alliance" supporting SOPA in the first place? I don't think "knee-jerk support" covers it. There's a political reason there, surely.

If MS/Apple/whoever didn't like it, why weren't they publicly saying so?

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#5
Interesting how fast they distance themselves from SOPA now they know we are paying attention. Won't fool me. I only hope the next SOPA, wich will certainly sound less outrageous, in special when compared to this, is met with equal opposition. SOPA is not commendable. Nor will be its offspring.

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#7

I guess the question that gets immediately raised in my mind is: what the heck were these companies doing supporting the damned thing in the first place? It's like the rats scattering when the light turns on. Is all of corporate America happy to support these egregious pieces of legislation as long as the public doesn't find out? That last part was mostly rhetorical... mostly .

  > It's like the rats scattering when the light turns on.
Don't insult the rats.

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#8
post #2

This HN title is inaccurate. There's no evidence that Microsoft or Apple actually supported SOPA. Merely an industry association of which they are members, supported it. This association removed its support. A more appropriate title would be "Business Software Alliance withdraws support for SOPA." I'm pretty sure most people on HN who know what SOPA is, know who the BSA is, and if not they'd learn it from reading the…

I'm not saying you're wrong, but why then was the "Business Software Alliance" supporting SOPA in the first place? I don't think "knee-jerk support" covers it. There's a political reason there, surely. If MS/Apple/whoever didn't like it, why weren't they publicly saying so?

It's possible that it's all a politics game. Either some weird political stuff with the people that actually run the BSA or some idea like "Let's not speak out against this because it will hurt competitors like Google" (so they implicitly support it by not speaking out against the BSA's support of it).

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#9
post #2

This HN title is inaccurate. There's no evidence that Microsoft or Apple actually supported SOPA. Merely an industry association of which they are members, supported it. This association removed its support. A more appropriate title would be "Business Software Alliance withdraws support for SOPA." I'm pretty sure most people on HN who know what SOPA is, know who the BSA is, and if not they'd learn it from reading the…

The BSA represents its members. How could that not possibly suggest complicit support?

Re: Microsoft, Apple and Others Withdrawal Support for SOPA

#10
post #2

This HN title is inaccurate. There's no evidence that Microsoft or Apple actually supported SOPA. Merely an industry association of which they are members, supported it. This association removed its support. A more appropriate title would be "Business Software Alliance withdraws support for SOPA." I'm pretty sure most people on HN who know what SOPA is, know who the BSA is, and if not they'd learn it from reading the…

The BSA represents its members. How could that not possibly suggest complicit support?

I'm an EFF member and strongly support the overall cause, but also strongly disagree with many of its initiatives and positions. I imagine the situation is similar with regards to the BSA and its members, as it is with any group.
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