Congressman Charles Bass

January 18, 2012

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement this morning regarding H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

Bass said:

"No one questions that online piracy and counterfeiting are real problems with detrimental impacts to rightsholders, their employees, consumers, and the U.S. economy. However, I have serious concerns that the Stop Online Piracy Act goes too far in undermining the critical freedoms and functions of the Internet in the name of stopping this illegal activity and I am opposed to the bill as it is written.

"As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over issues of telecommunications and technology, I understand and appreciate the dynamic nature of the Internet that has enabled it to become a platform for a democratic exchange of ideas and an engine of economic growth. I am pleased that the proponents of anti-piracy legislation have recently acknowledged concerns over the potential threats to Internet security, and hope that the conversation can continue to move forward to consensus legislation that properly balances the need for law enforcement with the fundamental liberties of a free society."

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