The Stop Online Piracy Act continues to fizzle and is for all intents and purposes dead. Congressman Lamar Smith, who wrote the law and staunchly defended it for weeks amid protests that it would disrupt online speech, announced today he is postponing any further action on the bill:
"I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy," he said in an online statement. "It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products."
Smith, the Texas Republican who serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said he "will postpone consideration of the legislation until there is wider agreement on a solution."
Naturally, he still would like to write a more tolerable version of SOPA:
"The Committee will continue work with both copyright owners and Internet companies to develop proposals that combat online piracy and protect America's intellectual property. We welcome input from all organizations and individuals who have an honest difference of opinion about how best to address this widespread problem. The Committee remains committed to finding a solution to the problem of online piracy that protects American intellectual property and innovation."
And what of the Senate's version of this, the Protect IP Act? A vote on that was postponed today indefinitely.
Statement from Chairman Smith on Senate Delay of Vote on PROTECT IP Act