The Motion Picture Association (MPA) CEO, Charles Rivkin, has unveiled a bold initiative to lobby for the enactment of a site-blocking law in the United States, aiming to combat rampant online piracy. Speaking at CinemaCon 2024, Rivkin emphasized the urgent need to address the evolving threat of piracy, which he claims siphons billions of dollars from the economy and jeopardizes hundreds of thousands of jobs. The proposed legislation would empower copyright owners to seek court orders requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites hosting illegal, stolen content.
However, the MPA’s push for a site-blocking law has sparked fierce opposition from various quarters. Consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge condemned the proposal, warning that it would undermine the principles of the open Internet and grant excessive power to copyright holders. Meredith Rose, the group’s senior policy counsel, argued that such legislation would enable arbitrary censorship and result in the blocking of lawful content, akin to the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) of the past.
Similarly, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), representing Big Tech interests, raised concerns about the feasibility and implications of site-blocking measures. CEO Matt Schruers cautioned against over-blocking and emphasized the need for precise, targeted solutions to combat online piracy. While Rivkin touted site-blocking as an effective tool deployed in numerous countries worldwide, critics point to instances of legal challenges and unintended consequences, casting doubt on its efficacy and compatibility with the principles of a free and open Internet.
