If you’re predicting a personal Armageddon, you better think of a backup plan soon. Rumor has it the net’s biggest companies are planning a full-blown SOPA blackout.

If carried out, search engines and social media websites will “black out” just days before the bill is scheduled for a vote. The sites will turn black, and users will be greeted with an anti-censorship warning and a plea to contact their representatives.

Many of these companies already stressed their concern over the anti-piracy legislation. In November, they sent a strongly-worded letter to the House Judiciary Committee, asking its members to reconsider many of the bill’s provisions.

But that request was met with little action. Instead, the Committee went on to publish a list of corporations supporting the bill. After a quick look at that list, it became immediately apparent that members of Congress are in a difficult position:

Do they side with Hollywood, or do they side with Silicon Valley?

Constituent opposition may ultimately be the only way to force a legislator to switch sides. A SOPA blackout is probably the best way to accomplish this goal. Just look at Tumblr. Its anti-SOPA campaign generated 90,000 calls to Congress, according to CNET. Multiply that by 10, and Capitol Hill mayhem may just ensue.

Related Resources:

  • With Congress on break, SOPA fight continues (CNN)
  • SOPA Copyright Bill Hearing Suggests Uphill Battle for Critics (FindLaw’s Technologist)
  • What Does SOPA Mean for Small Business? (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)

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