January 18, 2012 - 4:28pm
'U' Library, School of Information release statements on SOPA/PIPA blackouts
BY ADAM RUBENFIRE
The University Library has launchedan informational page and released a statement regarding the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) currently under consideration in the House, and the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act in the Senate.
The library's page notes that several sites, including Reddit and Wikipedia, have participated in a "blackout" today by either shutting down or reducing their site content. Search engine giant Google has placed a black censorship bar over its logo throughout its site.
The page offered a brief statement of the library's feelings on the acts.
"The U-M Library and many of our peer institutions share serious concerns about the effect this legislation could have on our services," the statement said.
The site also lists several resources available for individuals who wish to learn about the acts and piracy.
The Syracuse University School of Information Studies also blacked out its website and blog today. Despite the trend, the University of Michigan's School of Information is running as usual.
In a statement to the Michigan Daily, Heather Newman, associate vice president of marketing and communication for the School of Information, said the school has not taken a stance on the matter.
"We at UMSI generally don't take political positions as an organization, encouraging our faculty and students to study both sides of current issues and form and express their own opinions, which they definitely have in this case," Newman said. "SOPA has been the topic of lively discussion within our classes."
