‘Follow the Money’: VC’s Question PIPA

This week, an impressive list of tech venture capitalists sent a letter to the Senate opposing the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) on the grounds that it will slow innovation by interfering with the “basic structure of the Internet.”  Specifically, the group takes issue with the provisions requiring blocking by DNS providers and “information location tools,” as well as with the inclusion of a private right of action for rightsholders, arguing that these provisions will raise new obstacles to technology start-ups in an already risky climate.  CDT is encouraged to see new voices speaking out against this bill, and hopes that this letter will help convince Congress to narrow the bill.  A revised PIPA that simply “follows the money” would keep the most effective remedies (those aimed at financial services doing business with infringing sites) and do significantly less harm to Internet innovation, free speech, and security.